South Korea Bans Dog Meat Consumption, Trigger Dog Farmers' Protest

South Korea – Many countries still allow the dog meat consumption on a large scale, one is South Korea. However, the country plans to ban eating dog meat and implement the law by the end of this year. 

But many of those involved in the centuries-old controversial practice are fighting to keep it legal. 

The law ending this traditional but controversial practice will have a three-year grace period, and dog meat will be banned from consumption across South Korea from 2027. 

The practice of eating dog meat in South Korea has drawn criticism from animal rights activists abroad, but there is also growing opposition within the country, especially from the younger generation.

"It's time to put an end to the social conflicts and controversies surrounding dog meat consumption through the enactment of special measures to end it," said Yu Eui Dong, Policy Chief of the ruling People's Power Party. 

The government and the ruling party will submit a bill this year to enforce the ban, he said, adding that he is confident the legislation will be passed with bipartisan support.

Anti-dog meat bills have failed in the past due to industry protests, and concerns over the livelihood of farmers and restaurant owners.

Eating dog meat is much less common in South Korea, but dog meat is still eaten by some elderly people and served in certain restaurants, a Gallup Korea poll last year showed 64% opposed to dog meat consumption. The survey found only 8% of respondents had eaten dog in the past year, down from 27% in 2015.

South Korea's First Lady, Kim Keon Hee, has been a vocal critic of dog meat consumption and, along with her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, has adopted stray dogs.

According to government data, there are approximately 1,150 dog farms, 34 slaughterhouses, 219 distribution companies, and 1,600 restaurants that serve dog meat.

While many agree, the decision is also widely opposed by several parties, including farmers who raise dogs, and restaurant owners who serve dog meat.

They have held protests in front of parliament to demand that the government and the People's Power Party drop plans to pass a bill this year to enact the ban.

They say that the dog meat ban will destroy their livelihoods, and also limit the options available to diners by removing a dish traditionally consumed on the Korean peninsula to beat the summer heat, but now only eaten by a few elderly people.

"If I have to close the business, with the financial situation I'm in, there's no answer to what I can do," said Lee Kyeong Sig, who runs a farm outside Seoul that keeps up to 1,100 dogs.

"I've been doing this for 12 years and it's very sudden," he added.

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7 Desember 2024