South Korea’s parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to ban the eating and selling of dog meat, a move that will end the controversial centuries-old practice amid growing support for animal welfare.
Dog meat has fallen out of favour with diners over the past few decades. Young people especially shun it.
Under the law, raising or slaughtering dogs for consumption will be banned, as will distributing or selling dog meat. Those found guilty of doing so could be sent to jail.
Those butchering dogs could face up to three years in prison, while those who raise dogs for meat or sell dog meat could serve a maximum of two years. However, the consumption of dog meat itself will not be illegal.
The new legislation will come into effect in three years’ time, giving farmers and restaurant owners time to find alternative sources of employment and income. They will have to submit a plan to phase out their businesses to their local authorities.
The government has promised to fully support dog meat farmers, butchers and restaurant owners, whose businesses will be forced to close, though the details of what compensation will be offered have yet to be worked through.
According to government statistics, South Korea had around 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms in 2023.
Dog meat stew, called “boshintang”, is considered a delicacy among some older South Koreans, but the meat is no longer popular with young people.
