This is a translation of posting from Busan KAPCA’s Facebook page: 구포 개시장에 드디어 이 경고문이 붙었습니다. 10/14/2013

Translation of posting by Busan KAPCA:

Finally a notice from the city government of Busan has been posted in the infamous Busan Gupo dog meat market.

This is posted on the wall of a dog meat restaurant.

This is a victory accomplished by the planning team of Busan Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Busan KAPCA)

This is a small step but very meaningful.

This is what the notice says:

Notice!

If you slaughter or sell animals (dog, cat, rabbit, etc) without a license, illegal slaughter will be punished with up to 7 years in prison or fine of up to 100,000,000 Korean Won (approximately $ 91,000 USD) according to the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, illegal sale of animals will be punished with a fine of up to 1,000,000 Korean Won (approximately $910 USD) according to the Animal Protection Act.

* Busan Buk-gu(North Borough) Office, Economic Promotion Department *

What does this mean?

Dog and cat slaughter is still practically treated as legal if the business is registered and holds a license. However, the majority of slaughterhouses currently operating in the market does not have license and legal and illegal slaughterhouses are all mixed together operating. Legal action can be brought against the illegal slaughterhouses only with a proof of illegal slaughter so charging them with a crime is currently very difficult. Busan KAPCA located an illegal slaughterhouse that slaughters all kinds of animals and currently they are in the planning process to try to get this place closed down.

Our deepest gratitude and respect for the dedicated and courageous activists of Busan KAPCA!

Click for Busan Ilbo’s article in Korean: ‘Illegal slaughter ban’ notice at Gupo Market 구포시장 내 ‘불법도축 금지’ 경고문 10/31/2013