South Korea's Historical Bill to Prohibit Dog Meat Consumption Marks a Shift in Consumer Trends
South Korea's parliament has finally approved a bill to outlaw the breeding and slaughter of dogs for food, marking a monumental shift in consumer habits The controversial practice of consuming dog meat, which has been under heated debate for years, will now come to an end
South Korea's parliament approved a bill on Tuesday that prohibits the breeding and killing of dogs for consumption, bringing an end to the traditional but contentious practice of consuming dog meat following years of intense debate nationwide.
The bill garnered uncommon bipartisan backing amidst South Korea's politically divided landscape, underscoring the shift in attitudes towards consuming dog meat during the country's rapid industrialization over the past few decades.
The National Assembly's corresponding committee has proposed a law to prohibit the distribution and sale of food products containing dog ingredients. Although consumers of dog meat and related products would not be penalized, the law's primary focus would be on regulating the industry, including dog farmers and sellers.
The bill stipulates that individuals who slaughter dogs for food may face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million Korean won (approximately $23,000). Those involved in breeding, acquiring, transporting, storing, or selling dog meat also face penalties of lower fines and prison sentences.
Farm owners, dog meat restaurants, and others in the dog trade will have a grace period of three years to either close or transform their businesses, as outlined by the committee. Local governments are obligated to assist these business owners in transitioning to alternative ventures.
Caged dogs are seen in a truck during a protest by dog farmers against the government's move to ban dog meat consumption in Seoul, South Korea, on November 30, 2023.
The bill has been approved and will now go to President Yoon Suk Yeol for final approval. It was a joint proposal from Yoon's ruling party and the main opposition party and has been endorsed by First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who owns several dogs and expressed her support during a visit to an animal protection organization in the Netherlands during a presidential state visit in December.
Similar to parts of Vietnam and southern China, South Korea has a tradition of consuming dog meat. It was historically considered a way to stay cool during the summer and a cost-effective source of protein during times of high poverty rates. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, there are approximately 1,100 dog farms in South Korea, with about half a million dogs being raised for food purposes.
In recent decades, the practice has faced criticism from animal rights activists, with groups like Humane Society International (HSI) rescuing dogs from South Korean farms and moving them abroad. The consumption of dog meat in South Korea has decreased significantly as pet ownership has become more widespread, with younger urban South Koreans increasingly avoiding it, aligning with trends seen in other parts of Asia.
According to a 2022 Gallup Korea survey, 64% of participants expressed opposition to consuming dog meat, marking a significant rise from a similar survey conducted in 2015. Furthermore, the percentage of respondents who reported having consumed dog meat in the previous year had dropped from 27% in 2015 to a mere 8% in 2022. Official statistics revealed that in the ten-year period from 2005 to 2014, the number of dog meat-serving restaurants in Seoul decreased by 40% as a result of declining demand.
Lee Sang-kyung, campaign manager of the dog meat ban at HSI Korea, stated that our views on consuming dog meat and animals in general have shifted in recent decades. While it was once popular during times of food scarcity, such as the Korean War, as our economy develops and people's attitudes toward animals and food consumption evolve, it is now the right time to adapt to these changes.
He added that the bills passing on Monday is partly due to increased political will, which "is growing with the First Ladys interest."
Dogs farmers scuffle with police officers during a protest on November 30, 2023 in Seoul, South Korea.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
The bill has faced strong opposition from dog farmers and business owners who argue that it will severely impact their way of life and longstanding practices.
Last November, numerous dog farmers and breeders assembled outside the presidential office in Seoul to voice their objection to the bill. Many arrived with their dogs in cages, whom they planned to set free at the protest. The situation turned chaotic, resulting in clashes between the farmers and law enforcement, and several demonstrators being taken into custody.
Lee Kyeong-sig, a dog farmer, expressed his concerns to Reuters last November, stating, "If I have to shut down, given my current financial situation, I really don't know what I'll do...I've been in this business for 12 years and this is all so sudden."
The Korean Dog Meat Association accused the government in a November news release of "threatening to destroy" the industry and of introducing the bill "without any discussion or communication" with dog meat consumers or workers.
The news release stated that it is unacceptable to deny 10 million dog meat consumers their right to food and 1 million livestock dog farmers and workers their right to survival. Despite this, HSI manager Lee is hopeful that the grace period and relief measures in the bills will support dog farmers and help them stay afloat.
After speaking with industry workers at HSI, we discovered that most dog meat farmers and slaughterers wish to exit the industry but are unsure of how to do so," he explained. "With the new bill in place, offering a compensation package and financial support from the government, now is the opportune moment for them to make their exit."
