The Sensitivity Surrounding Dog Meat in South Korea: Exploring the Reasons

The South Korean government recently passed a law to ban the breeding, butchering, distribution, and sale of dogs for meat by 2027. This marks the end of a centuries-old practice that has faced increasing global criticism. Dog meat, historically consumed as an alternative protein source when cows were scarce, was enjoyed by people across different classes in South Korea. However, criticism of dog meat consumption arose during the 1988 Seoul Olympics and has since grown, leading to a decline in its popularity. According to a Gallup poll, only 8% of South Koreans had tried dog meat in the past year, down from 27% in 2015. The new law has been hailed by activists as a step towards ending animal abuse, while others in the dog meat trade argue for better regulation instead. The ban does not outlaw the consumption of dog meat, but it is seen as a significant milestone in South Korea's evolving attitudes towards the practice.