South Korea consumes an average of 388,000 dogs each year for meat (Photo: Reuters).
In a survey released by the Korean animal rights group Aware on January 8, 93.4% of respondents said they would not eat dog meat in the future.
The survey was conducted on 2,000 adults nationwide from December 12-17, 2023. The rate increased compared to 88.6% in a survey of the same size in 2022.
The survey also showed that dog meat is enjoyed by only a small portion of the population, as 94.5% of respondents said they had never eaten dog meat in the past year.
Clear opposition to dog meat consumption was widespread among both pet owners and non-pet owners, with 94.7% of pet owners stating they would not eat dog meat and 92.7% of non-pet owners holding similar views.
The Aware survey found that support for a dog meat ban was growing, with the proportion of people in favour of a ban rising to 82.3% from 72.8% in 2022. Some 60.9% of respondents said the law would “reduce the number of dogs being harmed”.
"The survey proves that (Korean) people no longer consider dogs as food and they are demanding that the issue of dog meat consumption be resolved through legislation," said the head of Aware.
Most dog meat in South Korea is produced through 1,156 farms across the country. These farms raise animals for meat, according to a study by a government -civilian commission working on a dog meat ban.
According to the commission, an average of 388,000 dogs are consumed each year at about 1,600 restaurants nationwide.
After taking office, the administration of incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol launched a campaign to end dog meat consumption, which sparked a backlash from those working in the industry.
The Korea Dog Meat Federation, a group of people who raise dogs for meat, has opposed the government's plan, saying it would affect the livelihoods of those in the industry.
Last November, Yu Eui-dong, head of the ruling People Power Party’s policy office, said the government and the ruling party would introduce a bill to implement the dog meat ban. The dog meat ban has received support from political parties in South Korea.
Dog meat farmers in South Korea are threatening to release 2 million dogs near the presidential office and government offices to protest Seoul's planned law banning the industry.
“Eating dog meat cannot be a crime like drug trafficking or prostitution,” said Joo Young Bong, head of the Korea Dog Meat Breeders Association. “Have you ever seen anyone eating dog meat that harms others?”
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