In response to a proposed dog meat ban in South Korea, roughly 200 dog farmers protested near the presidential office in Seoul, condemning efforts to crack down on the sector.
The Korea Dog Meat Farmers’ Association, a longtime opponent of such policies, expressed worry and even suggested unleashing 2 million pups near official sites, escalating the conflict between industry lobbyists and animal rights groups.
The Korea Dog Meat Farmers’ Association, chaired by Joo Young-bong, organized a protest near Seoul’s presidential office in opposition to a measure aimed at ending South Korea’s dog meat trade by 2027.
The measure, sponsored by the ruling People’s Power Party, seeks a three-year phase-out of enterprises participating in the trade, with severe penalties for noncompliance.
Three protestors, including Joo Young-bong, were arrested after a scuffle with police during the contentious gathering. Anticipating the march, authorities set up barricades to keep protestors from approaching the presidential office. According to reports, protestors brought approximately 100 dogs in trucks but were not allowed to release them.
The proposed ban, which has received rare bipartisan support, is in reaction to rising concerns about animal cruelty and a shift in social attitudes regarding dog meat consumption. The First Lady, Kim Keon-hee, who shares a residence with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, is a strong supporter of the law, having previously proposed naming the anti-dog meat bill after his wife.
Joo Young-bong’s promise to release 2 million canines in public locations heightens an already heated argument. Dog meat producers believe that their livelihoods and cultural customs are at jeopardy, and they want dogs to be recognized as livestock subject to food safety requirements.
Recent polls show that public support for dog meat consumption in South Korea is declining, with 86% saying they have no intention of eating it and 57% favoring a ban. Animal rights organizations, notably Humane Society International (HSI), applaud the proposed ban as a start toward ending a contentious industry.
Lola Webber, Director of HSI’s End Dog Meat campaign, points out that the planned ban is consistent with a global shift toward more humane practices, encouraging dog farmers to switch to sustainable livelihoods. Despite protestations from a vociferous minority, there is a growing recognition that the dog meat trade has an unclear future.
South Korea’s proposed dog meat ban draws significant opposition from dog farmers, resulting in rallies and threats to release 2 million canines. The conflict between traditional practices, commercial interests, and growing society ideals persists, with the bill attempting to eliminate the dog meat trade by 2027. The conclusion will have a tremendous impact on the future of South Korea’s centuries-old yet controversial custom.
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