South Korea says goodbye to dog meat consumption. Or at least trying. The People Power Party, which leads the majority and government in Seoul in South Korea, announced a road map that will gradually ban the use of dogs on farms and restaurants.
“We expect a special law banning dog meat to be passed this year,” MP Yu Eui-dong said after the Parliament meeting attended by Ministry of Agriculture officials and some animal rights advocates. The legislation, which the authorities are preparing, stipulates a period of three years for the sector to ‘disappear’. Concretely, as soon as possible, the ban is expected to come into force in 2027. “We will guarantee full support to farmers, butchers and other entrepreneurs,” Yu assured, adding that only registered businesses that submit a plan to the government will be compensated. Authorities say goodbye to dog meat industry and in line with new rule for recycling.
While animal rights activists may rejoice, breeders of dogs intended for food consumption are certainly not happy. There are approximately 1,150 such farms in South Korea; In other words, there are more than half a million animals in total to be sent to slaughter. Korean Dog Breeders Association president Joo Young-bong has already announced the fight.
Tradition
Dog meat has been eaten for centuries in South Korea, as in various parts of Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, and parts of China (estimated to be about one-third). Of the 30 million dogs killed every year in the world, 10 percent are killed. Historically, the most significant consumption was recorded during the Japanese occupation (1910–1945) and the Korean War in the 1950s, but even in times of peace consumption remained fairly stable; The reason for this is that dog breeding in the country is easier and more common than in other countries. that of other animals such as cattle. Even today, estimates speak of approximately one million dogs being slaughtered for food consumption each year, and over three thousand restaurants serving meals and beverages based on dog meat. Food consumption of these products, which are believed to have healthy properties on the human body during hot periods, generally increases in the summer months.
However, dog meat consumption in the country has decreased significantly in recent years. On the one hand, animal rights associations and groups have successfully managed to draw public attention to this issue. On the other hand, it is the citizens of South Korea themselves who assimilate the dog as a pet, no longer for slaughter. According to a recent survey, more than 80 percent of South Koreans have never eaten dog meat or do not plan to do so; Almost 60 percent welcome the ban on dog meat consumption.
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Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
