Gov't, ruling party to introduce special leglislation banning dog meat

Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Chung Hwang-keun, second from left, speaks during a meeting to explore comprehensive measures for ceasing dog meat consumption and enhancing animal care at the National Assembly, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) decided, Friday, to introduce a special law by the end of this year banning the sale and consumption of dog meat.

Animal rights groups welcomed the decision, hailing it as a "historic announcement."

The special law will prohibit the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption and the distribution and sale of dog meat. The crackdown on restaurants selling dog meat is slated to start in 2027, preceded by a three-year grace period.

The government and the ruling party plan to help people involved in the dog meat business switch to other fields. Such support measures include help in switching to horticulture or breeding livestock, as well as financial assistance.

Yu Eui-dong, the chief policymaker at the PPP, announced the measure during a briefing following a meeting to explore comprehensive measures to end dog meat consumption and enhance animal rights.

"It is time our society put an end to the consumption of dog meat, considering the growing pet population, heightened awareness and our country's international presence," Yu said.

Chung Hwang-keun, the minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, emphasized that the crackdown would be intensified in tandem with the enactment of the special law, citing existing laws related to farmlands, food sanitation, and the environment.

Government statistics indicate the presence of approximately 1,150 dog farms, 34 slaughterhouses, 219 distributors, and around 1,600 restaurants that sell dog meat.

Humane Society International (HSI) lauded the decision. However, the group called for an immediate crackdown on dog farms.

“Korean society has reached a tipping point where most people now reject eating dogs and want to see this suffering consigned to the history books. The decision to ban the dog meat industry is like a dream come true,” said Chae Jung-ah, an executive director at HIS.

Meanwhile, the government and the PPP also unveiled measures to enhance animal medical care, including standardizing pet treatment procedures and introducing an improved hospital system.