A raccoon approaches a visitor at the Seoul K-Reptile Fair at aT Center in Seocho District, Sunday. The Ministry of Environment allows the import of such exotic animals, but animal welfare groups oppose the decision, arguing that households cannot meet their welfare needs. Yonhap

Businesses and individuals keeping or selling 20 or more wild animals may need to obtain a permit from local governments as part of stricter regulations on the wildlife trade starting in December.

The Ministry of Environment announced this measure during its third meeting with relevant industry officials on Jan. 23, presenting proposed amendments to the enforcement decree of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act.

The changes align with the upcoming "White List" system, which will go into effect in December and restrict the import, sale and ownership of non-listed wild animal species.

Currently, most wild animals, except those protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, can be owned and traded without restrictions.

Under the proposed amendments, businesses dealing with 20 or more wild animals (or 50 for reptiles and amphibians) or selling an average of 10 or more per month (20 for reptiles and amphibians) must obtain a permit from local authorities.

Turtles walk around at the Seoul K-Reptile Fair at aT Center in Seocho District, Tuesday. Yonhap

New regulations will also require independent facilities for wildlife-related businesses, separate from other commercial or residential buildings. Additionally, live wild animals cannot be sold without being shown to buyers in person, and transactions must be conducted either face-to-face or through specialized transport services.

The National Institute of Biological Resources, an agency under the ministry, has also released an updated White List, which now includes 897 species — seven more than the previously imported 891 species.

The list, which classifies species allowed for import, trade and ownership, was expanded following consultations with industry stakeholders and the public. Animal rights groups have welcomed the stricter oversight of wildlife ownership and trade.

"There has been no proper system to regulate the breeding and sale of wild animals, so these amendments are a crucial step toward bringing them under institutional management," said Lee Hyung-joo, head of Aware, an animal welfare and rights institute.

A meerkat on display at the Seoul K-Reptile Fair at aT Center in Seocho District, Sunday / Yonhap

However, Lee also pointed out that animal welfare considerations in the White List evaluation criteria remain insufficient.

Jo Hee-kyung, president of Korean Animal Welfare Association, suggested that sellers should provide proper education on the care and protection of wild animals. "This is an opportunity to ensure better environments for keeping wild animals and to set higher standards for ownership," she said.

The Ministry of Environment plans to gather stakeholder opinions on the proposed amendments throughout February and hold further discussions in April.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.