Following the discovery of illegal horse slaughter at a farm in Jeju, animal rights groups have called for urgent protective measures after finding other surviving animals, including horses, left neglected and emaciated.

In a press release issued yesterday (August 4), Jeju Vegan, an eco-rights action group, and the Jeju Haengbok-ine Association stated, "Four horses and one black goat have been left behind at the illegal slaughter site, where mutilated horse carcasses, bones, and traces of slaughter remain. Necessary protective measures must be taken immediately to secure the safety of the surviving animals and prevent further harm."

The animals were visibly malnourished, with their ribs and skeletal structures sharply protruding.

They were also left directly exposed to the gruesome surroundings of the illegal slaughter site.

The groups urged, "A comprehensive traceability system should be implemented for all horses to monitor their entire lifespans, from birth, relocation, changes in ownership, and purpose changes, to death."

They further demanded, "The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province must conduct a full-scale inspection of horse farms across the province to check for illegal activities such as unauthorized slaughter or improper disposal of carcasses."

On July 31, the illegal slaughter of a horse was uncovered at a horse farm located in the mid-mountainous area of Jeju City.

Mutilated horse carcasses and traces of slaughter were found at the scene, along with horse meat and black goat carcasses discovered inside a refrigerator.

The owner of the farm, who operates a restaurant specializing in horse meat, reportedly confessed to the illegal slaughter to the police.

(Photo: Provided by Jeju Vegan and Jeju Haengbok-ine Association, Yonhap News)