On Tuesday, South Korea's National Assembly overwhelmingly passed groundbreaking legislation, securing a 208-0 vote, to prohibit the country's diminishing dog meat industry. The move comes amid escalating public demands for the ban, propelled by animal rights campaigns and concerns about South Korea's global image.
While dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula, it remains neither explicitly outlawed nor legalized in South Korea. Recent surveys indicate a growing desire for a ban, with a majority of South Koreans no longer consuming dog meat. However, one in every three South Koreans still opposes the ban, despite abstaining from dog meat consumption.
The National Assembly's resounding vote paves the way for the legislation to become law, with President Yoon Suk Yeol's government lending support to the ban. The bill, passed with a vote of 208-0, targets the slaughtering, breeding, trade, and sales of dog meat for human consumption, criminalizing these activities from 2027 and prescribing approximately three years of imprisonment for violators. Notably, the legislation does not specify penalties for the act of eating dog meat.
Framed as a step towards realizing the values of animal rights and promoting a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals, the bill also includes provisions to assist farmers and industry participants in transitioning away from their businesses or exploring alternative avenues. The detailed execution of the industry's outlawing will involve collaboration among government officials, farmers, experts, and animal rights activists, according to the bill.
Humane Society International hailed the legislative victory as "history in the making," emphasizing the unprecedented ban on the cruel dog meat industry in South Korea. The legislation's passage marks a significant milestone for animal protection, driven by the dedication and determination of the animal rights movement.
Despite the positive reception from animal rights advocates, the legislation has sparked frustration and discontent among dog farmers. Some farmers expressed their intention to challenge the ban constitutionally, highlighting concerns about the infringement upon the freedom of occupational choice. Farmers plan to file a petition with the constitutional court and organize rallies to voice their opposition to what they perceive as state violence.
While there is no reliable official data on the exact size of South Korea's dog meat industry, activists and farmers estimate that hundreds of thousands of dogs are slaughtered annually for meat consumption in the country.
