Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, on Monday announced a "Companion Family Happiness Capital Seoul" pledge that would provide adoption subsidies of up to 250,000 won to households adopting abandoned or lost animals. The plan aims to significantly strengthen public care and welfare systems for pet-owning households, which account for one-fifth of Seoul's residents.
Jung introduced the pet household pledge through his social media account the same day. "We will build a welfare system that extends from adoption to care, medical treatment, and funeral services, creating a city where pet owners and non-pet owners can safely coexist," he said. Jung also visited a pet training and abandoned dog shelter facility at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu that day to hear on-site opinions.
Jung announced he would expand citywide the policy of providing up to 250,000 won in adoption subsidies for households adopting abandoned or lost animals and retired service dogs, a program he introduced during his tenure as Seongdong-gu district chief. He also plans to establish a responsible adoption culture through behavioral correction, adaptation training, and expanded pet education.
In addition, the four Seoul Metropolitan Animal Welfare Support Centers currently in operation will be expanded and reorganized into "Seoul Animal Welfare Hub Centers," with one additional hub to be established. Through this, the plan is to build an integrated administrative support system linking reporting of abandoned or lost animals to rescue, protection, medical care, adoption, and handover. Adoption service standards that currently vary by district will also be standardized. Animal welfare, medical, and emergency response standards will be compiled into a Seoul-style standard manual.
"Public pet boarding facilities" will be established in all 25 of Seoul's districts, and indoor and outdoor playgrounds for dogs will be expanded to every district. To address medical expenses, the biggest concern for pet households, the plan calls for a phased introduction of a "standard veterinary fee system" in cooperation with the central government. A "Seoul-style pet safe care system" that provides guidance on essential and optional items during examination and prescription will also be pursued. Pet medical expenses reached 1.463 million won as of last year. "Excessive medical expense burdens lead to giving up on treatment and anxiety over raising pets," Jung said.
The plan also pushes for the establishment of public pet funeral facilities, which Seoul currently lacks, and a pilot program of psychological counseling and other healing support for "pet loss syndrome." Through the Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Public Health and Environment, inspections of pet food and treats for ingredients and safety will be conducted to strengthen food safety for companion animals.
"Pet policy is about expanding the value of respect for life into urban policy," Jung said. "We will create in Seoul a new urban standard where pet owners and non-pet owners can respect each other and coexist."
