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As of January 1, 2026, South Korea has formally put an finish to its merciless bear bile farming trade, a long-overdue and historic step ahead for animal welfare. This monumental choice follows a 2022 settlement between the South Korean authorities, bear farmers, and animal safety organizations to section out bile extraction and ban the breeding of bears for this inhumane observe.For many years, primarily Asiatic black bears had been confined to tiny, barren cages, usually unable to face, flip round, or transfer freely. Many suffered continual infections, open wounds, and immense ache from repeated bile extraction, a observe condemned by veterinarians and animal welfare advocates worldwide. This ban straight confronts these inhumane situations and confirms what advocates have been saying for years: the trade was constructed on excessive cruelty.The 2022 settlement, led by the Ministry of Surroundings in partnership with the Bear Farmers Affiliation and animal welfare organizations, set the stage for this historic transition. It offered a transparent timeline to finish bile extraction and breeding, whereas additionally establishing assist for farmers because the trade was phased out. Beneath the brand new regulation, any extraction of bile after the grace interval carries authorized penalties.The federal government has dedicated to overseeing the relocation and lifelong care of the remaining bears, a lot of whom have by no means recognized something however captivity. Whereas sanctuary area and funding stay challenges, and disputes over compensation proceed, the choice represents a significant shift towards compassion, accountability, and moral therapy of animals.South Korea’s bear bile trade started within the early Nineteen Eighties, pushed by demand for conventional medication. Ending it will not have been doable with out many years of tireless advocacy. Organizations corresponding to World Animal Safety and Inexperienced Korea United (GKU), together with numerous activists and anxious residents, performed a vital function in elevating public consciousness and constructing the momentum to make this variation doable.Maya Pastakia, International Marketing campaign Supervisor – Wildlife, Not Drugs, at World Animal Safety, said:“That is the outcome that we, in partnership with Inexperienced Korea United, have been tirelessly campaigning and dealing in direction of for over 18 years – we’re completely thrilled. Captive bile bears are cruelly exploited and commodified. They stay out their lives in tiny, cramped cages, enduring immense psychological and bodily struggling – unable to climb timber, play and forage for meals as they’d within the wild.“The South Korean authorities has taken a daring stand for bears – one thing made all of the extra impactful by the Bear Farmers Affiliation and animal welfare organizations becoming a member of arms and making this momentous choice.“The settlement sends a transparent and constructive sign that the merciless observe of bear bile farming is not acceptable in a contemporary nation, particularly since natural options are available. Bears should not medication. They’re sentient beings and belong within the wild.”This victory is not only about coverage, it’s about acknowledging the struggling these bears endured and selecting a extra humane future. Whereas work stays to make sure each surviving bear is safely relocated and correctly cared for, January 1, 2026, will stand as a robust reminder that progress is feasible when compassion leads the best way.This second belongs to the bears and to everybody who refused to look away. Compassion leads the best way for a kinder future.
As of January 1, 2026, South Korea has formally put an finish to its merciless bear bile farming trade, a long-overdue and historic step ahead for animal welfare. This monumental choice follows a 2022 settlement between the South Korean authorities, bear farmers, and animal safety organizations to section out bile extraction and ban the breeding of bears for this inhumane observe.
For many years, primarily Asiatic black bears had been confined to tiny, barren cages, usually unable to face, flip round, or transfer freely. Many suffered continual infections, open wounds, and immense ache from repeated bile extraction, a observe condemned by veterinarians and animal welfare advocates worldwide. This ban straight confronts these inhumane situations and confirms what advocates have been saying for years: the trade was constructed on excessive cruelty.
The 2022 settlement, led by the Ministry of Surroundings in partnership with the Bear Farmers Affiliation and animal welfare organizations, set the stage for this historic transition. It offered a transparent timeline to finish bile extraction and breeding, whereas additionally establishing assist for farmers because the trade was phased out. Beneath the brand new regulation, any extraction of bile after the grace interval carries authorized penalties.
The federal government has dedicated to overseeing the relocation and lifelong care of the remaining bears, a lot of whom have by no means recognized something however captivity. Whereas sanctuary area and funding stay challenges, and disputes over compensation proceed, the choice represents a significant shift towards compassion, accountability, and moral therapy of animals.
South Korea’s bear bile trade started within the early Nineteen Eighties, pushed by demand for conventional medication. Ending it will not have been doable with out many years of tireless advocacy. Organizations corresponding to World Animal Safety and Inexperienced Korea United (GKU), together with numerous activists and anxious residents, performed a vital function in elevating public consciousness and constructing the momentum to make this variation doable.
Maya Pastakia, International Marketing campaign Supervisor – Wildlife, Not Drugs, at World Animal Safety, said:
“That is the outcome that we, in partnership with Inexperienced Korea United, have been tirelessly campaigning and dealing in direction of for over 18 years – we’re completely thrilled. Captive bile bears are cruelly exploited and commodified. They stay out their lives in tiny, cramped cages, enduring immense psychological and bodily struggling – unable to climb timber, play and forage for meals as they’d within the wild.
“The South Korean authorities has taken a daring stand for bears – one thing made all of the extra impactful by the Bear Farmers Affiliation and animal welfare organizations becoming a member of arms and making this momentous choice.
“The settlement sends a transparent and constructive sign that the merciless observe of bear bile farming is not acceptable in a contemporary nation, particularly since natural options are available. Bears should not medication. They’re sentient beings and belong within the wild.”
This victory is not only about coverage, it’s about acknowledging the struggling these bears endured and selecting a extra humane future. Whereas work stays to make sure each surviving bear is safely relocated and correctly cared for, January 1, 2026, will stand as a robust reminder that progress is feasible when compassion leads the best way.
This second belongs to the bears and to everybody who refused to look away. Compassion leads the best way for a kinder future.
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