9-1-2024 (SEOUL) South Korea’s parliament has made a significant stride in the fight against the consumption of dog meat, a practice that has been deeply ingrained in the country’s culture for centuries. The National Assembly voted in favor of the legislation with a resounding 208-0 vote on Tuesday. The bill will soon become law after receiving endorsement from the Cabinet Council and being signed by President Yoon Suk Yeol. These final steps are considered mere formalities as Yoon’s government strongly supports the ban.
Under the new legislation, the slaughtering, breeding, trade, and sale of dog meat for human consumption will be illegal starting from 2027. Those found engaging in such acts will face penalties of 2 to 3 years in prison. This landmark bill marks a significant shift in attitudes towards animal welfare in South Korea.
Efforts to ban dog meat consumption have faced staunch resistance from farmers and others involved in the country’s dwindling dog meat industry. However, recent surveys have shown that a majority of South Koreans no longer partake in the consumption of dog meat.
