South Korean lawmakers are preparing to introduce a new legislation that would ban the sale and consumption of dog meat. The proposed law, which is currently neither explicitly banned nor legalized, has gained support from both the main opposition Democratic Party and the ruling People Power Party, ensuring enough votes for its passage. The bill, which may be named after the country’s first lady, Kim Keon Hee, who has been actively campaigning against the practice, aims to put an end to the centuries-old custom of eating dog meat in South Korea.
The head of the ruling party’s policy committee, Park Dae-chul, expressed the need for the ban, stating that approximately 10 million South Korean households have pets and that it is time to stop the consumption of dog meat. However, Park’s decision to name the bill after the first lady has sparked criticism from some fellow party members, who view it as “not pure” and accused him of seeking favor with the president.
Kim Keon Hee has been a vocal advocate for banning dog meat trade and consumption in South Korea. Last month, she called on the National Assembly to pass a law to end the country’s controversial culture and pledged to campaign for its implementation. She emphasized the importance of coexisting with animals and putting an end to illegal dog meat activities.
In recent years, there has been a shift in public opinion regarding the consumption of dog meat in South Korea. The growing awareness of animal rights and concerns over the country’s international image have led to a decline in the number of farms across the country. While the number of farms has decreased by half, an estimated 700,000 to one million dogs are still slaughtered each year, a significant decrease compared to several million a decade ago.
Previous attempts by the government to outlaw the entire dog meat industry have faced opposition from dog farmers and restaurant owners who fear losing their livelihoods. These farmers argue that the dogs bred for meat are different from pets. Despite the opposition, the proposed legislation is seen as a significant step towards ending the controversial practice.
It is important to note that South Korea is not the only country where the consumption of dog meat is prevalent. Several other countries, including China, Vietnam, and Nigeria, have faced similar debates and calls for bans on dog meat consumption due to animal welfare concerns.
In conclusion, South Korean lawmakers are working on a bill to ban the sale and consumption of dog meat. The proposed legislation, which may be named after the first lady, aims to put an end to the centuries-old custom. While previous attempts have faced opposition, there is growing support for the ban, reflecting changing attitudes towards animal welfare in the country.
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