Breeding, killing, and selling dogs for food will soon be illegal in South Korea. South Korea’s parliament has recently passed a significant bill aimed at ending the consumption of dog meat. This historic decision saw overwhelming support in the parliament, with 208 out of 210 members voting in favor. Most citizens of the country support the new law, which will go into effect by 2027.  

Dog Slaughter: A Declining Tradition

The tradition of consuming dog meat in Korea dates back hundreds of years. Many claim it improves stamina during Korea’s humid summers. It was also a cheap and easy-to-acquire source of protein during times of extreme poverty rates, like the Korean War. The practice is declining, however, as support for animal welfare grows.

Lola Webber, the director of HSI’s End Dog Meat Campaign, has worked with farmers for nearly ten years, encouraging them to switch to more sustainable careers. “Most of these farmers have experienced societal, family, and financial pressure to get out of farming dogs. With so few people wanting to eat dog meat in the country, it has gotten harder to make a living and these farmers know the writing is on the wall for this cruel industry.” Some farmers have wanted to leave the dog meat industry for years but do not know how. South Korea’s new ban will help them transition to more lucrative careers.

For the most part, only older people and some restaurants still follow the old practices, though the number of restaurants serving dog meat has declined by 40% in recent years. Consumer Kim Seon-ho argued, “We’ve eaten this since the Middle Ages. Why stop us from eating our traditional food?” However, most younger people in South Korea tend to avoid dog meat altogether.  

Shifts in Pet Ownership in South Korea

Attitudes toward eating dogs have steadily shifted over recent decades as more people have adopted them as pets. More Koreans than ever now have dogs in their homes. Data indicates a 16% increase in pet ownership compared to 2010. This shift is evident even at the highest levels of government, with the President and First Lady of South Korea being pet owners themselves. A 2022 survey highlighted this change, revealing that 64% of South Koreans oppose eating dog meat.

Animal Welfare Concerns in The Dog Meat Trade

Animal advocates have welcomed the approval of the new law banning the breeding and selling of dog meat. Despite claims of progress towards more humane methods by breeders, reports of cruel practices like hanging or electrocuting dogs persist. Criticism has grown as more people adopt pets and become aware of the cruel methods used in the raising and slaughter of dogs.

Animal rights activists have worked for years to rescue and relocate dogs from farms in South Korea. The Humane Society’s executive director in Korea said, “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.”   

Details of the New Dog Meat Law

The new legislation mainly targets people working in the dog farming industry. It is not illegal to consume dog meat, but raising and slaughtering dogs will be punishable by law. Anyone found slaughtering dogs for food faces up to 3 years in prison or fines of approximately 30 million Korean won (approximately $23,000). Breeding dogs for consumption, transporting them, or selling their meat is also illegal. Those caught doing so face up to two years of prison time and fines.  

Opposition and Challenges to South Korea’s Dog Meat Ban

Many dog farmers and business owners oppose the law, saying it puts their livelihood and traditions at risk. They argue that the process should be allowed to die out naturally, as its popularity is already declining. Dog farmer Joo Yeong-bong claimed, “In 10 years, the industry would have disappeared. We’re in our 60’s and 70’s, and now we have no choice but to lose our livelihoods.”

Farmers and restaurant owners point out the difficulty of switching careers this late in their lives. Dozens of farmers and breeders have protested outside the presidential office in Seoul. Some farmers have even staged a dog meat-tasting event outside the National Assembly. The Korean Dog Meat Association claimed the government proposed the bill “without a single discussion or communication” with workers or consumers. They went on to say, “No one has the right to rob 10 million (consumers) of their right to food and the right to survival of 1 million livestock dog farmers and workers.”

Proposals for Alternative Solutions from Farmers

Members of the dog meat farmers’ association believe banning the trade of dog meat is not the ideal solution. They feel that dogs like cows, pigs, and other farmed animals should formally be recognized as livestock. Farmers would then be required to abide by national food safety standards. Authorities did attempt to have dogs categorized as livestock in 2008. However, animal rights activists opposed the change, claiming it would only legitimize the dog meat trade.  

Transition Period and Support for Dog Meat Farms

South Korea has over 1,100 dog farms, with over a million dogs raised for meat. There are also around 1,600 dog meat restaurants. Workers in the dog meat trade will have a three-year grace period to change or close their business. They must submit a plan to shut down their businesses by the 2027 deadline. Local governments will support them and offer a compensation package and financial support during the transition.  

Global Perspective and Future Efforts to End Dog Meat Consumption

This new law represents a win for animal advocates and canines everywhere. Many people have fought to end the dog meat trade for numerous years. This latest step validates all their hard work. While this law marks a victory for animal rights advocates and reflects the shifting attitudes in South Korea, the consumption of dog meat persists in other countries like China and Vietnam.

Most citizens of South Korea support the ban now that attitudes have changed regarding animal welfare. As South Korea takes this important step, it sets a precedent that may influence other countries where dog meat consumption is socially acceptable. This law banning dog meat in South Korea represents a broader change in recognizing and respecting the inherent value of all living beings, signaling a promising progression towards greater compassion and ethical consideration globally that will eventually extend to all other animals who are exploited in the animal agriculture industry.