South Korea Approves Bill On Prohibition Of Dog Meat Consumption

JAKARTA - South Korea's Parliament, the National Assembly, on Tuesday passed a bill prohibiting the consumption of dog meat, an important step in ending the long-debated practices in the country.

The bill prohibits the breeding, cutting, and distribution of dog meat for human consumption. The bill was approved by parliament with 208 votes in favor and two abstentions, the Seoul-based Yonhap news agency reported.

The ruling People's Power Party (PPP) and the Democratic Party (DP), which are the main opposition, are working together to ban the consumption of dog meat, amid growing awareness of animal rights and the increasing number of pet owners in South Korea.

The bill also provides subsidies to help people in the dog meat industry switch to other jobs.

First Lady Kim Keon Hee also publicly supports the ban on dog meat consumption, saying the ban is one of President Yoon Suk Yeol's campaign promises.

Yoon and Kim are known as pet lovers. They live with seven pets, namely four dogs and three cats.

The legal application of the ban on dog meat consumption will begin in 2027, after a three-year grace period. Violators can be subject to sanctions in the form of a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine of up to 30 million won (around Rp. 350 million).

According to South Korean government statistics, the dog meat industry in the country is quite large. There are about 1,150 dog farms, 34 meat cutting businesses, 219 distributors, and around 1,600 restaurants selling dog meat food.

Meanwhile, animal rights groups welcomed the ban.

"We believe this ban marks a significant turning point in South Korea's stance on animal protection," said Lee Sang-kyung, a spokesman for South Korea's Humane Society International animal rights group spokesman.

"(This) is proof of the enthusiasm and determination of the community and animal-loving politicians who have fought hard to get this ancient industry into our history books," he said.