Animal Protection Act (동물보호법) — purpose and definition of 'animal'
The Animal Protection Act (동물보호법, latest amendment effective 2026-07-07) is the principal Republic of Korea statute on animal welfare and the prohibition of cruelty. This topic records its purpose (Article 1) and the definition of "animal" (Article 2), reproduced verbatim in Korean (C1-matched) followed by an English translation.
> Source: pdf-raw/kr-animal-protection/animal_protection_act.txt — first-hand official Korean text, retrieved 2026-07-24 (W24 Korea first pass).
Article 1 — Purpose (목적)
The Act aims to protect animal life, ensure safety and welfare, foster a sound and responsible breeding culture, cultivate citizens' respect for life, and promote harmonious coexistence of people and animals.
`` 제1조(목적) 이 법은 동물의 생명보호, 안전 보장 및 복지 증진을 꾀하고 건전하고 책임 있는 사육문화를 조성함으로써, 생명 존중의 국민 정서를 기르고 사람과 동물의 조화로운 공존에 이바지함을 목적으로 한다. ``
English translation: Article 1 (Purpose): this Act aims to protect animal life, ensure safety and welfare, foster a sound and responsible breeding culture, cultivate the public sentiment of respect for life, and contribute to the harmonious coexistence of people and animals.
Article 2 — Definitions (정의)
Article 2 defines key terms. "Animal" (동물) means a vertebrate animal with a developed nervous system capable of feeling pain, namely mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians/fish designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in consultation with the head of the relevant central administrative agency by Presidential Decree. "Owner, etc." (소유자등) means the owner of an animal and a person who temporarily or permanently breeds, manages, or protects it. "Lost/abandoned animal" (유실ㆍ유기동물) means an animal wandering or left without an owner in a public place such as a road or park. "Abused animal" (피학대동물) means an animal subjected to abuse under Article 10(2) or 10(4)(2). "Dangerous dog" (맹견) means a dog that may cause harm to human life/body or animals — such as Tosa (도사견), Pit Bull Terrier (핏불테리어), Rottweiler (로트와일러) — as prescribed by MAFRA Ordinance.
``` 제2조(정의) 이 법에서 사용하는 용어의 뜻은 다음과 같다.
- “동물”이란 고통을 느낄 수 있는 신경체계가 발달한 척추동물로서 다음 각 목의 어느 하나에 해당하는 동물을 말한다.
가. 포유류
나. 조류
다. 파충류ㆍ양서류ㆍ어류 중 농림축산식품부장관이 관계 중앙행정기관의 장과의 협의를 거쳐 대통령령으로 정하는 동물
- “소유자등”이란 동물의 소유자와 일시적 또는 영구적으로 동물을 사육ㆍ관리 또는 보호하는 사람을 말한다.
- “유실ㆍ유기동물”이란 도로ㆍ공원 등의 공공장소에서 소유자등이 없이 배회하거나 내버려진 동물을 말한다.
- “피학대동물”이란 제10조제2항 및 같은 조 제4항제2호에 따른 학대를 받은 동물을 말한다.
- “맹견”이란 다음 각 목의 어느 하나에 해당하는 개를 말한다.
가. 도사견, 핏불테리어, 로트와일러 등 사람의 생명이나 신체 또는 동물에 위해를 가할 우려가 있는 개로서 농림축산식품부령으로 정하는 개
나. ```
English translation: Article 2 (Definitions): the terms used in this Act mean as follows. 1. "Animal" (동물) means a vertebrate animal with a developed nervous system capable of feeling pain, namely any of the following: (a) mammals (포유류); (b) birds (조류); (c) among reptiles, amphibians, and fish, those designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs by Presidential Decree after consultation with the head of the relevant central administrative agency. 2. "Owner, etc." (소유자등) means the owner of an animal and a person who temporarily or permanently breeds, manages, or protects an animal. 3. "Lost/abandoned animal" (유실ㆍ유기동물) means an animal wandering without an owner or left behind in a public place such as a road or park. 4. "Abused animal" (피학대동물) means an animal subjected to abuse under Article 10(2) or 10(4)(2). 5. "Dangerous dog" (맹견) means any of the following dogs: (a) dogs such as Tosa (도사견), Pit Bull Terrier (핏불테리어), Rottweiler (로트와일러) that may cause harm to human life or body or to animals, as prescribed by MAFRA Ordinance; (b) [source body truncated].
Source
pdf-raw/kr-animal-protection/animal_protection_act.txt — first-hand official Korean text, retrieved 2026-07-24 (W24 Korea first pass).