SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) –
In a recent interview with Yonhap News, Jeon Jin-kyung, the director of Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA), shed light on the complex emotional world of animals, emphasizing their ability to experience a wide range of feelings such as frustration, fear, pride, and shyness, much like humans.
She criticized the cruel treatment animals often endure in the food industry, where they are disassembled on conveyor belts while conscious and sometimes buried alive to prevent disease outbreaks. The desperate attempts of mother pigs to escape pits and the bewildered looks of piglets highlight the brutality of these practices.
Jeon argued that if animal slaughter and culling are deemed necessary, they should be conducted with minimal suffering and in a humane manner. She pointed out that animals endure significant pain not only during slaughter but throughout the farming process, suggesting that reducing meat consumption is a fundamental solution to this problem.
Born in Seoul in 1964 and a graduate of Ewha Womans University’s College of Pharmacy, Jeon transitioned from a corporate career to running a pharmacy in Seoul.
Her involvement in animal protection began with caring for stray cats and later pursuing a graduate degree in Animal Behavior Ecology at Ewha. She was a founding member of KARA’s predecessor in 2002 and began her full-time commitment to the organization in 2014, becoming its director in 2021.
In the interview, Jeon addressed the skepticism some people have about prioritizing animal welfare when human welfare itself is a challenge, stating that protecting animals creates a society where humans are also protected.
Jeon Jin-kyung, the director of Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA)
She emphasized her personal commitment to animal welfare due to the lack of attention it receives compared to human-centric causes.
Reflecting on her experiences in animal welfare activism, Jeon shared how working with animals has enriched her life, providing mental strength and resilience.
She has become more detached from human affairs and less easily shaken by ordinary challenges, attributing this change to her involvement in animal rescue and advocacy.
Jeon discussed the depth of emotions that animals exhibit, citing examples of dogs showing pride after being groomed and displaying guilt after unintentionally hurting a child.
She also touched on the intelligence of animals, mentioning experiments with chickens that demonstrate their ability to make decisions based on delayed gratification.
Addressing the intelligence quotient (IQ) of animals, Jeon noted that certain breeds of dogs and dolphins have IQs comparable to humans, challenging the notion that humans are inherently superior.
She criticized derogatory expressions that compare people unfavorably to animals, suggesting that in some cases, animals demonstrate more ethical behavior than humans.
Jeon also questioned the anthropocentric view that humans are the “crown of creation,” arguing that animals possess abilities in which they surpass humans, such as in hearing, vision, and intuition.
Continue reading at KARA Director Jeon Jin-kyung Advocates for a Paradigm Shift in Animal Rights and Welfare | Be Korea-savvy (koreabizwire.com)
Regards Mark
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