Cheongdo bullfighting, a traditional practice with deep historical roots in Korea, is undergoing a transformation from a regional pastime into a recognized cultural sport. Despite its long legacy, the practice remains unfamiliar to many, yet it steadfastly endures as a symbol of local identity, thanks in part to the strong commitment of the Cheongdo community.

Recently, the Cheongdo Public Enterprise released a research report titled “A Study on Expanding and Realizing Welfare in Traditional Bullfighting,” which explores not only the historical and cultural significance of bullfighting but also provides concrete suggestions for welfare and institutional reforms needed for its advancement. This article, leveraging insights from the report, investigates the present state, challenges, and the socio-economic and cultural value of Cheongdo bullfighting, while considering its prospects as a leading example of Korean traditional culture.

Cheongdo: The Sole Bullfighting Hub of Korea

Cheongdo, located in Hwayang-eup, is regarded as Korea’s bullfighting capital. Its arena, the world’s only dome-shaped venue dedicated exclusively to bullfighting, hosts regular matches on weekends and serves as the centerpiece of an annual festival that has grown since 1999. What began as a folk game has since evolved into an active, year-round cultural event.

Korean bullfighting distinguishes itself through its non-lethal format, where two bulls face off without risk to human competitors and without the expectation of death—unlike Spanish bullfights. There is also potential for the event to be officially recognized as an intangible cultural asset, akin to the bullfighting traditions of Japan’s Niigata and Ehime regions.

In Japan, bouts end when a bull withdraws from exhaustion, with referees ensuring animal safety. As of 2022, bullfighting is practiced in six Japanese prefectures across twelve local governments, with some contests designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Assets. In contrast, Spanish corrida traditonally culminates in the killing of the bull, while Portugal’s tourada forbids public killings, illustrating clear distinctions from the Korean model.

The unique, non-lethal nature of Korean bullfighting merits recognition and highlights its suitability for preservation and potential institutionalization as cultural heritage, as in the Japanese case. By contrast, Spain and Portugal’s histories demonstrate the global challenges of reconciling tradition with animal welfare concerns—an ongoing balancing act.

Beyond Accusations of Animal Cruelty: Striving for Balance Between Welfare and Tradition

Despite its strong roots, Cheongdo bullfighting faces persistent criticism over animal welfare, with concerns about injuries during matches and claims of forced participation. Animal rights organizations have argued that the bulls endure unnecessary pain.

The recent research report, however, emphasizes that such challenges are best addressed through systematic reforms rather than outright abolition. Its key recommendations are threefold. First, improvement of rearing and training standards, ensuring that competing bulls receive regulated care, adequate rest, and proper nutrition to prevent exhaustion. Second, reinforcing safety during matches by matching bulls by weight and size to avoid uneven contests, and codifying immediate intervention and treatment in case of injuries. Third, establishing comprehensive post-match care, including supporting health checks and recovery upon returning the bulls to their farms, to minimize welfare concerns.

Importantly, fighting bulls are not seen merely as fighting tools; they are cherished members of farming households, often forming close bonds with their owners. This reality complicates the simplistic classification of bullfighting as animal cruelty.

International precedents strengthen the rationale for these recommendations. For instance, in the yamakoshi “tsunotsuki” (horn butting) tradition of Niigata, Japan, designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, handlers known as seko carefully manage the bulls using ropes and batons, halting matches when safety is at risk—highlighting the coexistence of heritage recognition and welfare management.

In stark contrast, Spanish bullfighting, rooted in ritualized killing, faces mounting international censure on animal welfare grounds. The fact that Cheongdo bullfighting fundamentally operates without lethal consequences suggests that Korea’s model, especially if paired with systemized welfare measures similar to Japan’s, could achieve an ideal equilibrium between tradition and modern ethical standards.

The report ultimately asserts that, with enhanced management and welfare measures, Cheongdo bullfighting could stand as an exemplary case of responsible cultural heritage in the international arena.

Driving Regional Economy and Supporting Traditional Culture

Cheongdo bullfighting is both a cultural tradition and a major catalyst for the local economy. In 2024 alone, the Cheongdo bullfighting arena hosted 1,224 matches over 102 days across 51 rounds, drawing approximately 390,000 spectators and generating 30.4 billion KRW in revenue. Spectator numbers, which declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, have since rebounded, underscoring the enduring economic impact of the event.

The benefits extend beyond the arena itself. Festivals and tournaments revitalize traditional markets, drive consumption of local specialties such as premium Korean beef, persimmons, and wine, and bolster the hospitality and food industries, invigorating the entire regional economy.

To ensure a sustainable future, the report recommends that Cheongdo bullfighting pursue official cultural heritage designation, integrate more closely with tourism and festivities, and secure national policy support. Only by merging preservation with contemporary cultural and economic value can Cheongdo bullfighting solidify its status as a flagship Korean cultural brand.

Standing at a Crossroads: Tradition, Welfare, and Branding

Cheongdo bullfighting is now at a pivotal juncture. By moving beyond debates over animal cruelty to realize harmony between welfare and heritage—and by implementing strategies for industrialization and branding—Cheongdo can transform itself from the “home of bullfighting” into a premier cultural city emblematic of Korea.

From Tradition to the Future

Cheongdo bullfighting epitomizes a distinct tradition that continues to sustain local communities. With forward-thinking welfare and regulatory improvements, bullfighting can be recognized not as a site of cruelty but as a cultural heritage of international repute.

The roar of the crowd in Cheongdo’s arena is both a bridge between the past and present and a portent of Korea’s cultural future. The task now is to foster this unique legacy into a sustainable and proud cultural asset. Rather than a relic to be discarded, Cheongdo bullfighting deserves to be safeguarded as a valuable pillar of Korean heritage.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=MHN DB, Cheongdo Public Enterprise