It's the last season for legal dog meat in South Korea
FILE: A pot of dog meat soup is simmering and waiting for customers at a restaurant in Chilsung Market in Daegu, South Korea, on January 11, 2024. (Photo by Seung-il Ryu/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
South Korea’s dog meat restaurants are in the peak of their final busy season as the country’s ban on the slaughter and sale of dog meat takes effect next year.
The ban caps a long decline in dog meat consumption amid rising pet ownership, but for many elderly Koreans, it’s a meal they travel long distances for because they believe it restores strength, according to Reuters.
South Korea bans dog meat
The backstory:
The movement to end the dog meat trade gained traction under former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Parliament eventually passed legislation in January 2024 that prohibits the breeding, slaughter, distribution and sale of dogs for human consumption, but the law includes a three-year grace period. Starting in February 2027, violators could face prison terms and fines.
By the numbers:
In a 2024 survey, more than 90% of people asked said they wouldn’t eat dog meat in the future, and nearly 95% said they hadn’t eaten it in the past year. Over 80% of the 2,000 people polled said they supported a ban.
The other side:
But not everyone agrees. Yoo Jin-sam, who said he’s been eating it for decades, told Reuters he’s "very disappointed."
"People keep looking for it because they believe it's good for their health, and now they're getting rid of it."
The government says roughly 5,600 businesses were affected by the legislation.
What's next:
The government has said it will offer support for impacted farmers, distributors and restaurant owners.
The Source: This report includes information from Reuters.