South Korea has enacted legislation to put an end to the centuries-old practice of slaughtering and selling dogs for their meat by 2027.
The new law, passed with the goal of phasing out the dog meat industry, prohibits the raising, slaughtering, distribution and sale of dogs for consumption. Violators could face imprisonment, with butchers potentially serving up to three years and those involved in raising or selling dog meat facing a maximum of two years.
While the consumption of dog meat itself remains legal, the ban on the industry will take effect in three years, allowing time for farmers and restaurant owners to transition to alternative sources of income.
The government, recognising the impact on those in the dog meat industry, has pledged full support and compensation, though specific details are yet to be finalised.
South Korea, in 2023, boasted approximately 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms, reflecting a decline in popularity, particularly among the younger generation.
“Boshintang”, a traditional dog meat stew, once considered a delicacy, has witnessed a stark generational divide. While older South Koreans have expressed disappointment at the ban, younger voices like 22-year-old student Lee Chae-yeon argue for animal rights, saying to the BBC, “Dogs are like family now and it’s not nice to eat our family.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, both avid animal lovers, supported the legislation, aligning with their six-dog household.
Despite the ban’s positive reception among animal rights advocates, some dog meat farmers and restaurant owners, many of whom are elderly, voiced concerns over their livelihoods.
Joo Yeong-bong, a dog farmer, lamented the industry’s despair, also telling the BBC, “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”.
The legislation marks a significant step toward ending the controversial practice, bringing South Korea closer to a more dog-friendly future.
[Image created via MidJourney]