Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Local governments, animal rights groups lock horns over Korean bullfighting events

Animal abuse or tradition? A bullfighting tournament opened in Cheongdo County, North Gyeongsang, on Wednesday, once again igniting fierce debate between supporters who call it traditional folk custom and critics who denounce it as animal cruelty.

2025-11-06

Animal rights groups call on Cheongdo County to end annual bullfighting competition

Animal rights groups called on Cheongdo County, North Gyeongsang, to end its annual bullfighting competition after the county revived funding for the festival this year, saying it is animal abuse rather than a cultural tradition.

2025-09-15

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.

2025-06-26

Feeling bullish

Two bulls lock horns in an arena in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang, on Sunday. Cheongdo's bullfighting matches began on Saturday and will take place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout 2022.

2022-01-09

Back to the grind

Two bulls lock horns in an arena in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang, on Sunday. Cheongdo's bullfighting matches resumed on Saturday after a year-long hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Bullfighting matches will take place on Saturdays and Sundays...

2021-03-21