1 week Ago By Korea Bizwire
Originally imported from Taiwan and Japan as livestock, some sika deer were released into the wild and have since proliferated rapidly due to their high reproductive rates and lack of natural predators. (Yonhap) SEOUL, April 29, (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea will restrict the import of wild animals to a designated “white list” of 900 species starting later this year, while requiring permits for businesses that hold or sell large numbers of wildlife, the Ministry of Environment announced Monday. The ministry unveiled draft amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Wildlife Protection Act, laying out implementation details ahead of the new regulations taking effect in December 2025.
Introduced through a legislative revision in December 2022, the white list system bans, in principle, the import, distribution, and possession of “designated managed wildlife,” including endangered species and those posing ecological threats. Only species explicitly included on the white list will be permitted for import. The aim is to protect ecosystems and curb the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The forthcoming white list will include nine mammal species, 18 bird species, 664 reptile species, and 209 amphibian species. The list will be reviewed annually and updated as needed, the ministry said. Cheol-Hwan, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, explained measures to address damage caused by illegally abandoned livestock, such as sika deer on Anmado Island, during a briefing held at the Government Complex Seoul .
(Image courtesy of Yonhap) Alongside the white list system, a licensing regime for wildlife businesses will be introduced. Entities holding 20 or more wild animals or selling at least 30 animals annually — or 50 and 100, respectively, in the case of reptiles and amphibians — must obtain permits from local governments. They will be required to meet strict standards for animal management and facility operations.
Local authorities will also have the power to inspect, suspend, or revoke licenses if necessary. The revised rules will expand the range of facilities permitted to display wildlife, adding “bear sanctuaries” and “facilities for the protection of internationally endangered species” to the existing list, which currently includes only zoos, aquariums, and a few specialized conservation or research centers. The ministry hopes this change will foster greater public awareness and support for wildlife conservation through exhibitions and educational programs.
In a related move, the government will classify the sika deer — a non-native species introduced in the 1950s — as a “harmful wild animal,” subjecting it to controlled culling. The designation will expand the list of harmful species to 19, pending the revision of the Wildlife Protection Act by the end of 2025. Originally imported from Taiwan and Japan as livestock, some sika deer were released into the wild and have since proliferated rapidly due to their high reproductive rates and lack of natural predators.
As of 2024, an estimated 937 sika deer inhabit Anmado in Yeonggwang County, South Jeolla Province, and 178 live on Gureopdo in Ongjin County, Incheon. In contrast to the Korean water deer, which has a population density of 7.1 animals per square kilometer, sika deer density on Anmado and Gureopdo has soared to 162 and 104 animals per square kilometer, respectively.
The unchecked growth has caused significant damage to farmland and ancestral graves, prompting 593 Yeonggwang County residents to file a collective grievance with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in July 2023. Separately, Commission Chairman Yoo Chul-hwan noted that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has proposed a revision to the Livestock Act. If enacted, it would impose penalties of up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won for livestock owners who abandon their animals.
The bill is currently pending in the National Assembly. Lina Jang ( [email protected] ).
