The government of South Korea has taken a historic step towards animal welfare, with legislators enacting a landmark law that will prohibit the dog meat trade by 2027. This decisive move by parliamentarians aims to close a chapter on a centuries-old practice that has increasingly come under scrutiny.
The National Assembly’s unanimous vote—208 to zero—reflects the changing tide of public opinion, with a recent Nielsen Korea survey commissioned by Humane Society International/Korea revealing that 86% of South Korean citizens had little to no intention of consuming dog meat, and 57% supported a ban on the industry.
Under the new legislation, the slaughter, breeding, trading, and selling of dog meat for human consumption will face serious consequences. Individuals found guilty of these actions will be subject to penalties ranging from two to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million Korean Won (approximately $23,000 USD). However, the law does not stipulate punishments for consuming dog meat.
In a move highlighting the shift toward animal welfare, Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated, “Korea is rapidly changing into a society that cares about animal welfare. I believe it is time for the government to act to resolve the problem of dog consumption.”
The upcoming ban is not just a reflection of changing cultural norms, but also a response to the advocacy of animal rights groups and the personal stance of President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who are known animal lovers and have been vocal against the consumption of dog meat.
The legislation requires dog farms to report their operating status to local authorities within three months and submit a plan for facility closure within six months of the bill’s passage. As part of the transition, the government has committed to assisting those affected by the ban, including dog meat farmers, butchers, and restaurant owners, in finding alternative sources of income.
As of 2023, South Korea had around 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms, according to government statistics. “While my heart breaks for all the millions of dogs for whom this change has come too late, I am overjoyed that South Korea can now close this miserable chapter in our history and embrace a dog-friendly future,” said Jung Ah Chae, the executive director of the Humane Society in Korea.
The ban has not been welcomed by all, as shown by the dismay of Kim Seon-ho, an 86-year-old diner who said, “We’ve eaten this since the Middle Ages. Why stop us from eating our traditional food?” and argued that dog meat should be treated like any other type of meat. However, younger generations have largely turned away from the practice, with Gallup polls showing only 8% of people reported trying dog meat in the past 12 months, a sharp decrease from 27% in 2015.
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