South Korea's parliament has passed a historic bill to ban the eating and selling of dog meat, ending a centuries-old practice in response to growing support for animal welfare. Dog meat consumption, once believed to boost stamina in the humid Korean summer, has become rare, particularly among younger generations who increasingly view dogs as family pets. The bill, proposed by the ruling party and enjoying rare bipartisan support, is set to take effect after a three-year grace period.
Under the legislation, breeding and slaughtering dogs for human consumption will be punishable by up to three years in prison or fines of 30 million won ($22,800). The ban is supported by President Yoon Suk Yeol, known for his love of animals, owning six dogs and eight cats with the first lady Kim Keon Hee, who is also a vocal critic of dog meat consumption.
Pet ownership has seen a significant rise in South Korea, with one in four households owning a pet dog in 2022, up from 16% in 2010. A recent survey indicated that over 94% of respondents had not consumed dog meat in the past year, and about 93% stated they would not do so in the future. The legislation aims to eradicate dog consumption, marking a crucial turning point where most Koreans reject the practice. However, the bill includes provisions for compensating businesses exiting the dog meat trade, addressing concerns from industry members. The agriculture ministry estimates that as of April 2022, 1,100 farms were breeding 570,000 dogs for around 1,600 restaurants, and the ban is expected to impact 3,500 farms and 3,000 restaurants.