18-1-2024 (SEOUL) South Korea has passed a bill that will ban the slaughter of dogs and the sale of dog meat for human consumption by 2027. While the consumption of dog meat itself will remain legal, this legislation marks a crucial step towards ending the controversial trade. Violators of the new law could face fines of up to 30 million won (approximately US$22,300) and imprisonment for three years.
The news has been met with enthusiasm by animal protection organizations in South Korea, who view it as a long-awaited victory. However, pro-dog-meat associations have expressed strong opposition to the ban, as it directly impacts the livelihoods of dog meat farmers and retailers.
Dog meat holds the status of being the fourth most consumed meat in South Korea, following pork, beef, and chicken. Nevertheless, the practice of eating dogs has been steadily declining over the past few decades, creating a divide within South Korean society for over 50 years.
For some, the dog meat trade represents resistance against cultural imperialism, while others view it as an obstacle to modernity. Regrettably, little attention is given to the fate of other animals whose commodification as meat is widely accepted and normalized.
The consumption of dog meat in Korea has a deep-rooted history dating back to the Neolithic age, with anthropologists from the University of Exeter and Queen’s University Belfast pointing to the excavation of dog bones from Korean relics as evidence. However, tensions surrounding the practice escalated in the lead-up to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games when the South Korean government temporarily banned the sale of dog meat in the capital’s traditional markets and requested the removal of dog carcasses to avoid offending foreigners.
This decision faced criticism from some sectors of South Korean civil society, who saw it as a form of cultural imperialism that eroded or stigmatized Korean traditions. The ban sparked feelings of national pride and protection towards the consumption of dog meat. Similar incidents occurred before the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea, and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where the government reintroduced measures to hide dog meat restaurant signs and carcasses.
Despite its historical significance, the consumption of dog meat in South Korea has experienced a sharp decline, particularly since 2000. In 2002, an estimated 3 million dogs were slaughtered annually for consumption, but according to the animal protection group KARA, this number dropped to under 1 million in the early 2020s — a significant decrease of two-thirds.
The decline in dog meat consumption can be attributed, in part, to a civil movement led by animal protection charities that have campaigned for an end to the trade. This movement has gained significant support from younger generations, who are more inclined to challenge long-standing traditions, possibly influenced by the rise of pet culture.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in the decline of dog meat consumption. Live animals, including dogs, were commonly sold and slaughtered in traditional markets before the outbreak. However, as a measure to mitigate the risk of disease transmission between animals and humans, municipal authorities engaged in dialogues with dog retailers to negotiate the closure of dog slaughtering facilities.
Ongoing research conducted by Julien Dugnoille, along with colleagues Frederic Keck and Miwon Seo-Plu, suggests that the pandemic has accelerated discussions around ending the practice of dog meat consumption. The focus has shifted towards keeping urban areas free from the potential risks associated with diseases transmitted between animals and humans.
While the ban on dog meat sales in South Korea is a significant step forward, it is essential to address the broader issue of animal welfare and the treatment of animals raised for meat consumption.
