South Korea's Parliament Approves Legislation Prohibiting the Consumption of Dog Meat

South Korea has recently passed a law to put an end to the slaughter and sale of dogs for meat by 2027. This legislation aims to abolish the longstanding practice of consuming dog meat, which has become increasingly unpopular, particularly among young people. The new law prohibits the raising and killing of dogs for food, as well as the distribution and sale of dog meat. Violators of the ban could face imprisonment, with dog butchers potentially serving up to three years in prison and dog farmers or sellers facing a maximum of two years. However, it is important to note that the law does not criminalize the consumption of dog meat itself. The ban will officially take effect in three years, allowing enough time for dog meat farmers and restaurant owners to transition to alternative sources of income. These individuals will be required to submit plans to phase out their businesses to local authorities. The government has pledged to provide full support and compensation to those who will be affected, although the exact details of this aid have yet to be determined. According to government data, South Korea had approximately 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms in 2023. While dog meat stew, known as "boshintang," is considered a delicacy by some older South Koreans, the younger generation has shown a significant decline in interest. Recent surveys indicate that only 8% of respondents had consumed dog meat in the past year, a sharp drop from 27% in 2015, and less than 20% expressed support for its consumption. Previous governments have attempted to ban dog meat starting in the 1980s, but they failed to make any significant progress. The current President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee are both known for their love of animals, owning six dogs themselves. The First Lady has actively called for an end to the practice of consuming dogs. Animal rights organizations, long advocates for a ban, celebrated the outcome of the recent vote. Jung Ah Chae, the executive director of the Humane Society in Korea, expressed surprise at witnessing the ban within her lifetime, stating that while it was too late for the millions of dogs affected, she was delighted that South Korea could finally move past this dark chapter in its history and embrace a future that is more dog-friendly. It should be noted that dog meat farmers opposed the ban, arguing that the declining demand among younger generations would naturally lead to the extinction of the industry over time. Many farmers and restaurant owners are elderly individuals who claimed that transitioning to new livelihoods at this stage in life would be challenging. Joo Yeong-bong, a dog farmer, conveyed the distress felt within the industry, saying, "In 10 years, the industry would have disappeared. We're in our 60s and 70s, and now we have no choice but to lose our livelihoods." He further asserted that the ban infringes upon people's freedom to eat what they choose.