South Korea considers enacting law banning dog meat eating

The Democratic Party - the main opposition party and majority in the National Assembly - on September 14 proposed a bill to ban dog meat during the last regular session of the National Assembly, which will end on December 9.

Lawmakers from President Yoon Suk Yeol's ruling People's Power Party (PPP) also voted in favor, helping to muster enough votes to pass the bill if it were brought to the National Assembly, despite opposition from dog meat farmers.

"About 10 million South Korean households keep pets. Now is the time to stop eating dog meat," Park Dae Chul, head of the PPP's policy committee, wrote on Facebook.

Park Dae-chul used the term “Kim Keon Hee’s bill” – a reference to South Korea’s First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who is campaigning to end the practice of eating dog meat in South Korea. However, the naming has drawn criticism even from some party members – who described the move as “impure”.

First Lady Kim Keon Hee has publicly supported a ban on all forms of dog meat trade and consumption. Last month, she called on the National Assembly to enact legislation to end the country’s controversial cultural practice, pledging to “advocate and work to end the consumption of dog meat.”

Dogs are kept in cages at a dog farm in Pyeongtaek, South Korea (Photo: AP)

“Humans and animals should coexist,” Kim Keon Hee said at a press conference organized by a civic group in late August, stressing that “illegal activities involving dog meat must stop.”

As one of the countries that consumes dog meat, South Korea has faced international criticism for some of its dog meat industry practices, which include killing the animals by bludgeoning, hanging and electrocution.

Although pet ownership is growing and the public has turned away from dog meat, as shown by a sharp drop in consumption over the past few years, previous attempts to ban it have failed due to strong opposition from dog meat farmers and restaurant owners.

Regarding the proposal to create a law banning dog meat, according to SCMP , on social media, many Koreans expressed support for the bill and said that eating dog meat is a "big blow" to the country's image.

"Eating dog meat is barbaric. I will support and cheer you on. It's time for a change," one user commented under Park Dae-chul's post.

However, some others called on ruling party lawmakers to consider the livelihoods of those working in the dog meat industry.

“Enacting laws to ban the dog meat industry is not the only way. There need to be incentives to encourage people to leave this sector,” another wrote.

Dog meat is not banned in South Korea, although restaurants selling the dish are becoming increasingly rare due to a lack of interest among young people.

A survey conducted by animal rights group Aware in 2021 found that 78% of respondents believed that the production and sale of dog and cat meat should be banned, and 49% supported a ban on consumption.

Minh Hoa (according to Lao Dong, Dan Tri)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/han-quoc-can-nhac-ban-hanh-luat-cam-an-thit-cho-a627009.html