There are 1,150 dog farms in the country.
Photo: REUTERS
On the Korean Peninsula, and in South Korea in particular, dogs have traditionally been seen exclusively as a source of meat, and not just as pets, so at the beginning of this century around 2 million dogs were slaughtered annually. .
But the volume of dog meat consumption in the Land of Morning Freshness has declined sharply, which is due both to incessant criticism of Koreans by animal rights activists and a change in the consumer culture of the local population.
Attempts have long been made at the official level to ban the consumption of dog meat in South Korea, but only now do the government and the ruling People’s Power Party intend to pass the corresponding law later this year. Although even today, dog breeders and owners of catering establishments serving dishes made from dog meat are actively trying to counteract this.
The bill includes a strict ban on the breeding of dogs for slaughter and consumption of dog meat, as well as the distribution and sale of dog meat. If passed, the law will take effect immediately, but violators will face huge fines and even prison from 2027. During the transition period, the government will provide support to companies that receive income from dog meat and accept to reuse it.
People’s Party chief Yoo Eui-dong said when introducing the bill: “It is time for our society to end the consumption of dog meat.”
The South Korean Statistics Office reported that the country today has 1,150 dog farms, 34 specialized slaughterhouses, 219 dog meat distribution companies and about 1,600 restaurants where the meat is prepared and served.
The International Society for the Protection of Animals welcomed the attitude of the South Korean cabinet and called for the end of the three-year transition period and the closure of all dog farms in the country right now.
– Korean society has reached a turning point when the majority of its members refuse to eat dog meat. The decision to ban the production of dog meat is like a dream come true. – The executive director of the South Korean branch of the International Society for the Protection of Animals, Che Jeong A, expressed his joy.
