By Lee Kyung-min
More than 400 dog meat sellers held a protest, Thursday, urging government to come up with measures to protect their business ahead of the “peak” summer season, during which dog meat consumption usually spikes.
The collective action followed a recent “crackdown” on traditional dog meat markets, organized by animal activists who have demanded the sellers halt their abusive treatment of dogs.
The group representing 1 million people in the dog meat business held a rally near Boshingak in Jongno, downtown Seoul.
They demanded the government guarantee that their business profits would not be threatened by animal activists whom they labeled “selfish and pretending to be morally superior.”
“Animal rights activists are calling for complete criminalization of eating dog meat citing animal abuse, which will destroy our businesses,” the group said.
The group added, “The claim is beyond inconsiderate given that our livelihoods depend on it. We will go bankrupt and become jobless. Do they have a plan for us?”
The group called on the government to set up regulations to separate breeds for meat consumption and for pets.
“We respect their stance and we expect them to respect ours. Otherwise, the rights groups should be disbanded,” the group said.
“Also, Korea has traditionally considered dog meat a means for recovering energy in the summer. Why should we be ashamed of our long-held tradition just because some activists oppose it?”
Some extremist members demanded the activists be detained and their groups immediately disbanded.