[단독] 이진숙 옆 앉았던 허화평 “5공이 민주화 토대 닦아” 궤변

The National Assembly's Rural, Forest, Fisheries, and Oceanic Water Affairs Committee recently passed a partial amendment to the Animal Protection Law, introducing a "Animal Ownership Prohibition" as its core. This amendment, represented by six separate bills proposed by lawmakers Park Hong-guen, Han Jeong-ae, Song Jae-bong, Jo Eun-hye, Kim Jeon, and Han Ji-ah, allows a court to issue an "Animal Ownership Prohibition" for up to five years against individuals recognized as repeat offenders of animal abuse.

If a violation occurs again, imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to ten million won can be imposed. In such cases, animal ownership rights are transferred to local governments. Upon passing through the standing committee, the amendment garnered welcoming statements from the National Assembly's Research Unit for Animal Welfare and various animal organizations.

While praising the amendment for "preventing repeat abuse" of animals, they noted that "South Korea's Animal Protection Law has not established a system to practically restrict the ownership or care of animals for convicted animal abusers over the past 30 years since its enactment in 1991." The amendment, which has been in place since the full overhaul of the Animal Protection Law in 2022, addresses concerns raised by the Legal and Judicial Committee during the review process, including "excessive restriction of property rights and the violation of the presumption of innocence."

To ensure compliance with the presumption of innocence, the amendment allows local governments to temporarily house animals of those accused of abuse, even before a final ruling, preventing the release of animals back into the hands of abusers.