Korean bullfighting faces criticism over conditions, injuries

 

Korea’s traditional bullfighting events, long held under the banner of cultural preservation, are facing increasing criticism for animal cruelty, as new data reveals that many bulls refuse to fight and suffer injuries when forced into combat.

 
Fifty-four of 131 bullfighting matches held from February to June in Cheongdo County, North Gyeongsang; the Uiryeong and Changnyeong counties and Changwon, South Gyeongsang; and Dalseong County, Daegu, were canceled or cut short because the bulls refused to engage, according to a report released by animal rights groups Animal Liberation Wave and Last Chance for Animals on Thursday.

"After thousands of years in an agrarian society, domesticated cattle have lost their wild aggression," said Kim Doh-hui, head of the institute for liberation politics at Animal Liberation Wave.

 
In Korea, the traditional game involves two bulls butting heads until one surrenders, which is determined by a bull, out of strength, turning away and showing its back. No matadors are involved, and the bulls are not killed.

 
"The fact that 40 percent of the bulls outright reject fighting, and the rest require coercion, shows that this is a form of abuse," Kim added.

 
More than 60 percent of the bulls that did participate suffered bleeding injuries, according to the report.

 
Injuries often occur when handlers pull forcefully on the salkojul — a rope tied to the bull's nose ring — to provoke head-on collisions. The groups documented instances of severe nose trauma caused during this process.

Korea’s Animal Protection Act bans inflicting injury on animals for gambling or entertainment but explicitly exempts certain cultural practices.

Animal rights advocates argue that the distinction is inconsistent and outdated.

 
They say bullfighting today differs starkly from its historical roots in agrarian festivals, and now functions as a commercialized spectator sport.

 
Bulls are bred and trained specifically for fighting, sometimes through physically demanding exercises such as dragging heavy tires.

Source : https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-26/national/environment/Korean-bullfighting-faces-criticism-over-conditions-injuries/2339546

Comprehension

What new criticism is Korea’s bullfighting facing?
What percentage of matches were canceled or cut short, and why?
Why do animal rights groups say bulls no longer want to fight?
How is a winner determined in Korean bullfighting?
What kind of injuries do bulls suffer during matches?
What is the salkojul and how is it used?
What law bans injuring animals, and what exception does it make?
How has modern bullfighting changed from its traditional roots?

Discussion

Do you think bullfighting should continue as a cultural tradition? Why or why not?
What’s the difference between tradition and cruelty? Where is the line?
How can a country protect animals while also respecting cultural history?
Have you ever seen an event where animals were used for entertainment? How did you feel?
Should traditions change with time? Can you think of examples?
What are better ways to celebrate history or culture without hurting animals?
Why do some animals refuse to fight, according to the article?
Should laws be updated to include new views about animal rights?
What do you think of breeding animals just for sport or entertainment?
How can people learn about traditions without promoting harm or violence?

Vocabulary

Cultural preservation – keeping traditions and customs alive
Animal cruelty – harming animals in a way that causes pain or suffering
Domesticated – trained to live with or work for humans
Coercion – forcing someone or something to do something against their will
Surrender – to give up or stop trying
Spectator sport – a sport watched by people for entertainment
Provoked – caused to react strongly or violently
Exempt – not included in a rule or law