South Korea passes bill to ban dog meat trade
The South Korean Parliament passed a bill to ban the selling or production of dog meat.
Parliament voting: On Tuesday, the bill was approved by the National Assembly with a unanimous 208-0 vote. While formal endorsement by the Cabinet Council and the signature of President Yoon Suk-yeol are still required for it to become law, these steps are generally seen as mere formalities. President Yoon, who is known for adopting stray animals, has witnessed increasing backing for the ban. His wife, Kim Keon-hee, has also expressed strong opposition to the dog meat trade.
About the law: The law, which is set to take effect in 2027, prohibits breeding, selling or killing dogs for their meat, with penalties of up to three years in jail or fines of 30 million won ($22,712).
Dog meat data: More than half a million dogs were raised for consumption in 2022, with 34 slaughterhouses, 1,156 breeding farms, 219 distribution companies and some 1,600 restaurants involved in the trade, according to government data.
Although consuming dog meat is not penalized, recent surveys suggest a decline in the inclusion of dog meat in South Korean diets. Amid the growing pet ownership trend, more South Koreans — especially younger generations — are saying no to eating dog meat, with 64% expressing opposition in a Gallup poll last year.
Chinese netizens call for ban: The ban on dog meat in South Korea has triggered discussions on Chinese social media, with many netizens praising the move and questioning if similar measures are needed in China. Some called for increased animal protection in China, citing a growing number of pets and an expanding pet economy. Despite the ban in Shenzhen, China’s first city to outlaw dog meat consumption in 2020, the practice persists in some regions, leading to debates on legislating the right to choose and inconsistencies in protecting certain animals.
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