Crossing Opinion For Animal Crematorium Development In South Korea: Between Animal Rights And Environmental Impacts

Pet illustration. (Unsplash/@sita2)

JAKARTA - The increasing number of people living with pets in South Korea, pet funeral services are increasingly in demand by grieving owners, generally cats and dogs, where they want their pets buried like human family members.

This has increased demand for animal crematoriums, but has also led to conflicts between related businesses and local residents across the country.

About 300 residents living in Changpyeong-ri, Gunwi, North Gyeongsang Province, moved to petition a company, to request the cancellation of plans for the construction of animal crematoriums in the region.

The company has received building permits from Gunwi Regency to build a crematorium covering an area of 655 square meters, slightly smaller than the standard tennis court.

Initially, the local government refused to issue the permit, but lost to the company in a legal battle.

"Local residents are worried about the particles and unpleasant odors that may be caused by the crematorium," said Kim Dong-soo, the village head of Changpyeong-ri, as reported by the Korea Times on April 17.

"If the company starts development even though we are against it, we will hold a demonstration in front of the construction site in addition to handing over our petition," he continued.

Similarly, a plan driven by Dalseong Regency in Daegu to build a crematorium and storage facilities for animal remains, most of which are still neglected due to refusal from local residents.

In April, the area planned to hold an information session on the creation of an entertainment park for animals equipped with a funeral facility in Jamo-ri. However, the plan could not be continued due to protests from local residents.

Earlier in January, a company filed a lawsuit against the Gwangsan District Office in Gwangju, as the office refused to issue a permit for the company, in order to change the zoning of office buildings to be used as animal crematoriums.

Last year, the same opposition also occurred. In July, about 30 local residents in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, held a demonstration in front of Yongin City Hall. They protested the company's plan to turn a factory into a crematorium for animals.

Earlier in February, a company had to cancel its plans to build a crematorium for animals in Chilgok Regency, North Gyeongsang Province, for losing a lawsuit with the local government at the Supreme Court.

At the time, the court cited concerns the facility could damage the environment for local residents, disrupting student education in nearby schools.

Separately, animal rights groups say the Ginseng Country should evolve more, as more than 10 million of its 51 million people live with pets.

"The demand for animal crematorium has increased consistently year after year," said Shim In-seop, who heads Life, an animal rights group.

"Both the central and regional governments must consider ways to resolve conflicts from local residents. Installing animal crematorium in a general crematorium can be an option," he said.