The Parliament of South Korea passed a historic law, which bans the dog meat. The National Assembly gave the go-ahead with 208 votes in favor and no votes against. The text, which will become law after the president’s signature and other formalities, will make the slaughter, breeding, trade and sale of dog meat for human consumption illegal starting from 2027 and will punish these acts with sentences of up to 3 years in prison and fines of up to 20 thousand euros.
South Korea, President Moon opens up to the ban on consuming dog meat: “Isn’t it time to stop?” September 28, 2021
There is no penalty for eating dog meat. Farmers and others in South Korea’s dog meat industry have fought hard against efforts to ban its consumption.
Dog meat restaurants
The government has promised to support dog breeders, butchers and restaurant owners whose businesses will be forced to close, although details of the compensation that will be offered are yet to be finalised. According to government statistics, there are approximately 1,150 dog farms, 34 butcher shops, 219 distributors and approximately 1,600 restaurants selling dog meat foods in South Korea.
A tradition in crisis
Dog meat stew, called “boshintang,” is considered a delicacy among some older South Koreans, but the meat is no longer popular with young people. According to a Gallup poll last year, only 8% of people said they had tried dog meat in the past 12 months, down from 27% in 2015. Less than a fifth of those surveyed said they supported eating dog meat. meat.
A new political context
The ban was the result of a bipartisan action supported by the People Power Party, currently in power, and the Democratic Party, the main opposition force, in a context of growing awareness in society of animal rights and the growing number of pet owners in the country.
First lady Kim Keon-hee also openly expressed her support for the ban, saying that banning the practice was one of the president’s campaign promises Yoon Suk-yeol. Yoon and Kim, among other things, met as pet lovers and live with four dogs and three cats, according to past reports from the Presidential Office.