Slaughtering and selling dogs for meat will become illegal in Korea after parliamentarians recently passed and supported a new law. This law will officially be applied in 2027.
Specifically, those who raise dogs for meat, slaughter, and distribute dog meat will be fined a maximum of up to 30 million won (560 million won). million dong) and face jail time. This law mainly targets dog farm owners and dog meat sellers and distributors. People who consume dog meat or related products are not included in the list of fines.
However, this is causing a wave of heated controversy in Korean public opinion. Previously, eating dog meat was considered one of the oldest customs that lasted for centuries. Many Korean people believe that this is a source of food rich in energy to nourish health.
One of the traditional and popular dishes in the “land of kimchi” is stewed dog meat, also known as stewed dog meat. is “boshintang”. For older people, this dish helps increase energy, but for young people, they think differently.
According to a Gallup poll conducted in 2023, only 8% of interview participants said know if they have eaten dog meat within the past year. This number is down significantly from 27% in 2015. In addition, less than 1/5 of people interviewed said they support eating dog meat.
Lee Chae-yeon was born The 22-year-old member said that a ban on dog meat is necessary to promote animal rights.
“Today many people keep dogs as pets. They are like a family member. So who “Can’t bear to eat meat” Ms. Lee shared her opinion with BBC.
The new law focuses on dog meat traders. The dog killer faces up to 3 years in prison. Meanwhile, farm owners who raise dogs for meat or sell dogs can spend up to 2 years in prison.
Before the new law officially applies, restaurant farm owners selling dog meat have 3 years to turn around. looking for new jobs and professions.
According to Korean government statistics, there are currently about 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms. All must submit a discontinuation plan business to the local government.
To ensure livelihoods, the government promises to support those family affected. However, details about the compensation level have not been approved.
At lunchtime in an alley with many restaurants serving dog meat in Seoul, the diners enjoying dog stew are all adults. year old. Mr. Kim Seon-ho, 86 years old, expressed disappointment over the ban.
“Koreans have been eating this dish since the Middle Ages. Why must we stop the traditional dish? If we want to ban dog meat Let’s also ban beef,” Mr. Kim said.
Korean protests peaked in November 2023. At that time, about 200 dog owners were present near the President’s office area, threatening to release 2 million dogs to protest and demand the bill be repealed.
The dog owners argued that Korean youth are increasingly indifferent to traditional meat dishes. Therefore, it is better to let dog meat disappear naturally over time instead of imposing a ban.
Many restaurant owners are older people. They expressed the difficulty of switching their livelihoods at such a late age. Mr. Joo Yeong-bong, a farm owner, expressed his despair.
“In just 10 years this industry will disappear on its own. We are now in our 60s and 70s and have no way to change to a new career. This is an infringement of the freedom of people who want to eat the food they like,” Mr. Joo said.
Since the 1980s, the Korean government has voiced its commitment to passing a ban on dog meat, but has not yet Current President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee are famous animal lovers. The First Lady of Korea has 6 pet dogs calling for an end to the custom of eating dog meat.
Sharing with a BBC reporter, 60-year-old Mrs. Kim, owner of a dog meat restaurant in Seoul, was sad when she learned that the ban would be applied.
“Korean youth today refuse to get married and prefer to keep dogs as pets for companionship. But dogs are still food. We should accept dog meat and domestic slaughter hygienic environment. “Vietnamese and Chinese people still eat dog meat, so why does Korea ban it?” Mrs. Kim expressed her opinion.
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