The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Royal palaces in Seoul offer free access during Chuseok holiday

  • 3

    Korean Baek In-chul wins stunning swimming gold

  • 5

    Koreans adapt to soaring food prices

  • 7

    American soldier who crossed into North Korea arrives back in the US, video appears to show

  • 9

    Korea wins gold in League of Legends competition; Faker tops podium

  • 11

    Blinken to release Chuseok message for S. Koreans for 3rd year

  • 13

    Over 2,200 aging applicants for reunions of separated families died this year: gov't data

  • 15

    Daejeon hosts 14th int'l play festival

  • 17

    Korea claims third consecutive gold in men's team sabre fencing

  • 19

    S. Korea elected as IAEA board member for 2023-25

  • 2

    INTERVIEWRisk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz

  • 4

    Travis King in US custody after expulsion by N. Korea: Washington officials

  • 6

    Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes

  • 8

    BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single

  • 10

    Drug offenders using dark web increasing rapidly: report

  • 12

    BOK likely to stand pat again next month on Fed's rate freeze, slowdown

  • 14

    1st gold in Hangzhou leaves N. Korean shooters in tears

  • 16

    N. Korea stipulates nuclear force-building policy in constitution

  • 18

    China launches first cross-sea bullet train line near Taiwan Strait

  • 20

    Kim Woo-min snatches gold in freestyle swimming

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, September 30, 2023 | 18:06
Politics
Presidential hopeful reignites debate on dog meat
Posted : 2021-06-23 16:50
Updated : 2021-06-24 09:41
Jung Da-min
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, front row second from right, holds a placard that reads, 'Realizing animal welfare,' during a debate on the matter of improving the legal system to ban dog meat consumption, co-hosted by the provincial government and 30 lawmakers, at Eroom Center in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, front row second from right, holds a placard that reads, "Realizing animal welfare," during a debate on the matter of improving the legal system to ban dog meat consumption, co-hosted by the provincial government and 30 lawmakers, at Eroom Center in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Public shows mixed responses over banning dog meat

By Jung Da-min

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, a strong presidential hopeful of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has reignited the debate over the country's dog-eating culture, saying it is time for the country to gather public consensus and establish a law to ban the consumption of the animal.

With his suggestion, the decades-long issue may become a hot button in political circles ahead of the presidential election slated for next March.

"Social awareness has changed a lot and the times have also changed from the days when the matter of malnutrition existed. It is time to bring the matter of establishing laws banning dog meat up for public debate," Lee said at a debate co-hosted by Gyeonggi Provincial Government and 30 lawmakers in Seoul, Tuesday, adding the number of households with pets has grown and social perceptions of dogs have changed. "In terms of respect for animal life and protection of animal rights, we need to come up with new laws and national policies based on social consensus."

The matter of Korea's dog meat industry has especially been at the center of debate in recent years, with growing criticism from pet owners and animal rights activists from here and abroad. But the practice has continued despite such criticisms, with demand for dog meat also continuing.

Dogs here are classified as livestock under the Livestock Industry Act, but are excluded from the scope of livestock under the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, thus the matter of dog slaughter for consumption as meat has fallen into a legal blind spot, making it impossible to regulate all aspects of hygiene and quality control for dog meat.

A dozen lawmakers have submitted bills to exclude dogs from the livestock list in a bid to prevent dogs from being slaughtered for meat at farms, but none of them have been passed.

The public showed mixed responses regarding whether to ban dog meat.

According to a survey of 1,012 adults conducted last week by local pollster Realmeter, 72.1 percent of respondents said it should be left to individual choice, while 21.5 percent said it should be prohibited by law.

But in another poll of 1,000 Gyeonggi residents conducted from June 11 to 12 by the provincial government, 64 percent said they support the idea of establishing a law banning dog meat consumption, while 32 percent opposed it. Among those who supported the ban on dog meat, 68 percent cited the need to prevent animal abuse.

Lee, who has been enjoying high support in polls of presidential hopefuls, has often been spotlighted for his straightforwardness when talking on thorny social issues and for his strong policy drives.

During the debate on dog meat, Lee said an outright ban could face strong protest but he believes the reaction can be alleviated to a considerable extent by providing appropriate compensation to dog farm owners or reasonable alternatives.

In 2018, Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, which had been notorious for sales of the controversial meat product, closed down the dog meat section after Lee, then mayor of Seongnam, made an agreement with the vendors that that the city would help them transition to other industries.


Emaildamin.jung@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Guide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea Guide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea
2Chuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holiday Chuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holiday
3Korea sees record-low births in July Korea sees record-low births in July
4Hyundai E&C to build upmarket apartment complex in Seoul's Gwanak District Hyundai E&C to build upmarket apartment complex in Seoul's Gwanak District
5Political battle intensifies after court rejects Lee's arrest warrant Political battle intensifies after court rejects Lee's arrest warrant
6Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games
7[INTERVIEW] Risk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz INTERVIEWRisk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz
8DMZ Open Int'l Music Festival to be held in Goyang in November DMZ Open Int'l Music Festival to be held in Goyang in November
9Lotte focuses on health care, mobility to spur growth Lotte focuses on health care, mobility to spur growth
10Two Koreas trade barbs over nuclear war Two Koreas trade barbs over nuclear war
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art
2[INTERVIEW] 'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director
3[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting INTERVIEWWith '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting
4Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
5[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince' INTERVIEWONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group