South Korean Parliament Approves Bill to Ban Sale and Consumption of Dog Meat

On Tuesday, January 9, the South Korean Parliament approved a bill to prohibit the sale and consumption of dog meat, an action that ends a long-standing and controversial tradition amid growing support for animal rights. Eating dog meat was once considered a way to improve physical endurance during the humid summers on the Korean Peninsula. This practice has faced criticism with the increasing interest of South Koreans in dogs as pets, and is now limited to some elderly individuals and specialty restaurants. Animal rights activists say that most dogs are electrocuted or hanged during slaughter, while dog breeders and traders argue that improvements have been made in their slaughter methods. Support for this ban has increased during the presidency of Yoon Suk-yeol, a known animal lover and staunch critic of dog meat consumption. He and his wife, Kim Kyun-hee, own six dogs and eight cats. Pet ownership has also risen over the years, with government data showing that in 2022, one in four Korean households owned a pet dog, a 16% increase from 2010. The bill was proposed by the ruling party and passed with rare bipartisan support, receiving 208 votes in favor and two abstentions in the South Korean Parliament. This law, which aims to 'eradicate dog meat consumption', will be implemented after a three-year grace period. According to this bill, breeding and slaughtering dogs for human consumption will incur a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won (approximately $22,800). There is no penalty for consuming dog meat outlined in this bill. Chae Janga, executive director of an animal rights group in South Korea, called the passage of this bill 'a historic moment', stating, 'We have reached a point where most Korean citizens reject eating dogs and want this painful practice to become a thing of the past.' In a survey released on Monday, January 8, by an animal rights think tank in Seoul, over 94% of respondents said they had not eaten dog meat in the past year, and about 93% said they would not do so in the future. Other surveys indicate 56% support for this ban. Previous efforts to ban the sale of dog meat failed after protests from industry activists; this bill attempts to assist the closure of such businesses by offering compensatory services. Son Won-hak, an official from the dog meat association, stated that the group intends to take this matter to the Constitutional Court. He did not provide further details. However, prior to the passage of this bill, its members raised their demands should it become law. They are seeking at least two million won (approximately $1,520) per dog and facilities to care for them to compensate for their losses over the next five years. The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture stated it would provide 'maximum support within reasonable limits' to them. The ministry estimated that by April 2022, about 1,100 farms were raising 570,000 dogs to be served in approximately 1,600 restaurants. The farmers' association said this ban would impact 3,500 farms raising 1.5 million dogs and about 3,000 restaurants.