JAKARTA - South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday there may be a need to ban the consumption of dog meat amid debate over the controversial practice, as well as growing awareness of animal rights.
Although it is no longer as common as it used to be, dog meat is eaten mainly by the elderly and is served in some restaurants and can be purchased at certain markets.
President Moon Jae-in made the remarks after being briefed by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on efforts to improve the handling of stray animals and the mandatory registration system for dogs.
"After the briefing, he said the time had come to carefully consider enacting a dog meat ban," Moon's spokesman Park Kyung-mee said in a statement.
It is the first time President Moon has lifted a ban, which is likely to provide fresh momentum for debate over whether to limit the practice.
To boost their popularity, several presidential candidates have pledged to ban dog meat in recent weeks, especially as dogs have become popular as pets and advocacy groups have urged South Korea to close restaurants and markets selling dog meat.
Lee Jae-myung, governor of the country's most populous Gyeonggi Province and the main presidential candidate from Moon's party, has vowed to push for a ban through social consensus.
But Yoon Seok-youl, an opposition candidate, said it was a matter of people's personal choice.
A poll conducted by animal welfare group Aware released this month said 78 percent of respondents believed the production and sale of dog and cat meat should be banned and 49 percent supported a ban on consumption.
However, another survey by polling firm Realmeter found people were divided over whether the government should ban eating dog meat, even though 59 percent support legal restrictions on slaughtering dogs for human consumption.
Dog meat sellers insist on their right to work, saying their livelihoods are threatened.
Since last year, South Korea has had plans to amend its laws, recognizing animals as creatures with the right to protection, promotion of welfare and respect for life.
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