Dog meat ban gaining momentum
Members of the Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) rally in Seoul to call for the enactment of a law banning the trade and consumption of dog meat in this July 9 photo. Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Following President Moon Jae-in's reference to a possible ban on the sale of dog meat, the country is likely to jump on the bandwagon of ending the yearslong debate over the practice of eating meat from the animals, with presidential contenders approving it.
In Korea, the number of pet owners stands at nearly 15 million, so presidential hopefuls are keen to court those voters in the next election, scheduled for March 9, 2022
“Hasn't the time come to prudently consider prohibiting dog meat consumption?” Moon asked Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum during a weekly policy consultation session, Monday, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Kyung-mee.
The President made the remark while being briefed by the prime minister on the government's plan to improve the care system for abandoned pets, she added.
Kim reported to Moon that the administration would put more effort into raising the registration rate of pets, promoting trap-neuter-release programs for stray dogs, strengthening full inspection and supervision of consigned animal protection centers and enhancing animal protection management systems.
President Moon Jae-in holds Tory, a former rescue dog he adopted, at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in this July 26, 2017 photo. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
Moon's remarks were followed up by key presidential contenders expressing their support for a dog meat ban.
“It's a natural measure and I welcome it greatly,” Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung said on Facebook, defining dogs as companions and creatures with emotional connections to humans.
“To those who have pets as family members, eating dog meat can be considered social violence, so I promise the public that I will push for a ban on dog meat consumption through social consensus.”
Lee then emphasized that dog meat consumption is not simply regarded as barbaric, but underlined the need for animal welfare, to stop cruelty, abuse, slaughter, unsanitary breeding and unstable distribution of pets.
Referring to the reorganization of Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, which was known to be the nation's largest dog meat market, he said, “For me, I have already had the experience of rearranging the market, which was symbolic of dog-eating here, through discussion, persuasion and consensus over the past five years.”
He added, “Pet welfare is human welfare. We will make a happy country with our pets together.”
Former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae also showed her support for Moon's remarks.
“Bosintang, or dog meat soup, is something I often saw on signs at the entrance to the market alley in my neighborhood when I was young. Even in Yeouido, I often witnessed people flocking to eat bosintang and I was uncomfortable,” she posted on Facebook.
She also said although eating bosintang has largely fallen out of favor these days, eating dog meat is still a cultural practice that must be rooted out for Korea to be seen as an advanced country.
Former ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon has pledged to ban dog meat consumption, and support people working in the industry to transition to other jobs if he is elected.
Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, also shows opposition to eating dog meat.
“As a dog owner, I am of course opposed to the consumption of dogs,” Yoon was quoted as saying by Yonhap.
Yoon has previously avoided answering questions on dog meat. In a live talk show aired on Sept. 12, he called it “a matter of personal choice.” He was answering a question about what to do if other people eat dogs, and his election camp later explained that Yoon personally opposes dog meat consumption.