South Korea finally bans eating dog meat

[Rogue Trader]

South Korea to ban eating dogs​

By Ju-min Park
November 17, 20233:57 PM GMT+8
Updated 9 hours ago

Rescue workers from Humane Society International rescue a dog at a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

SEOUL, Nov 17 (Reuters) - South Korea aims to ban eating dog meat and put an end to the controversy over the ancient custom amid growing awareness of animal rights, a ruling party policy chief said on Friday.

The Korean practice of eating dog has drawn criticism from overseas for its cruelty but there has also been increasing opposition at home, particularly from the younger generation.

"It is time to put an end to social conflicts and controversies around dog meat consumption through the enactment of a special act to end it," Yu Eui-dong, policy chief of the ruling People Power Party, said at a meeting with government officials and animal rights activists.

The government and ruling party would introduce a bill this year to enforce a ban, Yu said, adding that with expected bipartisan support, the bill should sail through parliament.

Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun told the meeting the government would implement a ban quickly and provide the maximum possible support for those in the dog meat industry to close their businesses.

First lady Kim Keon Hee has been a vocal critic of dog meat consumption and, along with her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, has adopted stray dogs.

Anti-dog meat bills have failed in the past because of protests by those involved in the industry, and worry about the livelihoods of farmers and restaurant owners.

The proposed ban will include a three-year grace period and financial support for businesses to transition out of the trade.

Eating dog meat has been an age-old practice on the Korean peninsula and is seen as a way to beat the summer heat.

But it is much less common than it used to be in South Korea, though it is still eaten by some older people and served in certain restaurants.

Animal rights groups welcomed the prospect of a ban. "A dream come true for all of us who have campaigned so hard to end this cruelty," Humane Society International said in a statement.

There are about dog 1,150 breeding farms, 34 slaughter houses, 219 distribution companies, and some 1,600 restaurants serving dog, according to government data.

A Gallup Korea poll last year showed 64% opposed dog meat consumption. The survey found only 8% of respondents had eaten dog within the past year, down from 27% in 2015.


Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Ed Davies, Robert Birsel

 

[laksaboy]

No worries, come to China and eat until you satisfied.

 

[red amoeba]

Once again bowing to AMDK pressure. In the same note France should ban fois gras. It’s inhumane. Ditto caviar.

 

[Loofydralb]

Unlike whales, dogs aren't going extinct.
There are those who applaud this western culture.
The boomerang will one day come back to hit you when they ban pork.

 

[Rogue Trader]

The boomerang will one day come back to hit you when they ban pork.

Haha. This could be very real if they keep up destabilising the middle east and import more refugees

 

[countryman]

Unlike whales, dogs aren't going extinct.
There are those who applaud this western culture.
The boomerang will one day come back to hit you when they ban pork.

This evil muud here is @it again...
Very good muslim indeed... I must clap 3x....
LOL

 

[syed putra]

So cannot eat hot dog?

 

[Eisenhut]

Bcos now they high crass, they focus eat whale meat

 

[mojito]

Pigs not cute OK to eat?

 

[Testing]

No impact for me, I am a vegan.

 

[syed putra]

Pigs not cute OK to eat?

If pigs bark and lick the owner....

 

[superpower]

Pigs not cute OK to eat?

Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs are cute, highly intelligent and make good pets.

 

[Rogue Trader]

South Korean farmers scuffle with police at protest over dog meat ban​

Dogs look on from their cages at a dog meat farm in Hwaseong, South Korea, on Nov 21, 2023. (File photo: Reuters/Kim Hong-ji)

30 Nov 2023 05:39PM

SEOUL: About 200 South Korean farmers who breed and raise dogs for human consumption held a rally on Thursday (Nov 30) near the presidential office in Seoul, demanding the government scrap a plan to ban the controversial centuries-old practice.

Dozens of farmers, who had tried to drive into the street in front of the presidential office by truck with dogs in cages that they intended to release at the scene, were turned away by the police who inspected the cargo covered with blankets.

The ruling party of President Yoon Suk Yeol has introduced a Bill to ban the breeding and sale of dogs for consumption and offer financial compensation for those in the industry forced to shutter their business within a three-year grace period.
The time is now to put an end to the controversy around eating dog meat, party members have said, adding there was broad support from the opposition party, which currently controls parliament, and from the public.
More than 6 million South Korean households now own dogs as pets in a country of about 51 million people, and Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee are the owners of six dogs, including a retired guide dog and a rescue dog.
A Gallup Korea poll last year showed that almost two-thirds of respondents opposed eating dog meat, with only 8 per cent saying they had eaten dog within the past year, down from 27 per cent in 2015.

Dogs are pictured in cages at a dog meat farm in Wonju, South Korea, on Jan 10, 2017. (File photo: Reuters/Kim Hong-ji)

Ju Yeong-bong, who represents an industry group and led Thursday's rally, said politicians had no right to close down an industry or decide what people choose to eat.

"We can't agree with the idea that it is barbaric, because all countries that have the tradition of animal husbandry have at some point eaten dogs and there are still countries where it's done," he said.

The farmers had been completely excluded from discussion on the Bill and the proposed financial compensation was completely inadequate given they would lose their livelihoods, Ju said.

The farmers scuffled with police who outnumbered them and set up barricades to stop them from crossing the street to move closer to the presidential office. Three protesters including Ju were detained by police in a chaotic scene, the organisers said.

While the practice of eating dog meat has declined in popularity, the farmers and restaurant owners who serve the meat have been fighting to keep it legal.

The farmers have accused first lady Kim, a vocal critic of dog meat consumption, of exercising what they call improper pressure on the government and the ruling party to bring in the ban.

"The first lady has spoken out about this issue with keen interest, and both in the country and abroad there is support and consensus, as well as from the opposition party," the presidential office said.

Source: Reuters/wk(kg)

 

[laksaboy]

When there is demand, there will be supply.

All they are doing is drive the people involved to the black market and smuggling.

It's just a bunch of 'animal lovers' who love the cute animals but couldn't care less about the less attractive ones, who managed to lobby career politicians to do their bidding. In that aspect, the PETA vegan zealots have less hypocrisy.

 

[red amoeba]

i just had a chat with some Korean friends....told me there is no ban...invite me next time go Korea will bring me to eat dog meat. I am tempted, especially now winter should eat some heaty food to keep my balls warm.