Proposed dog meat ban passes committee despite boycott of party that proposed it

Social Affairs

Published: 14 Dec. 2023, 18:49 Updated: 14 Dec. 2023, 20:46

Proposed dog meat ban passes committee despite boycott of party that proposed it

Animal rights advocates on Wednesday urge the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, to legislate a special law prohibiting dog meat consumption. [NEWS1]

The Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday criticized the Yoon government as a bill to prohibit dog meat consumption passed through a parliamentary subcommittee without the presence of the People Power Party (PPP), despite the issue being a major interest of first lady Kim Keon Hee.

“The PPP has stressed that the issue is significant to the first lady and is an important topic to be discussed, but has not participated in the actual decision,” Hong Ihk-pyo, the DP floor leader, said during the party’s policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Thursday morning.

The proposed legislation was passed during the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, and Fisheries Subcommittee’s meeting held on Tuesday, which the PPP boycotted as they opposed the inclusion of the revision of the Grain Management Act in the meeting's agenda.

Last month, the PPP and the government proposed legislation that would comprehensively ban the breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale of dogs for consumption. To facilitate a smooth transition, a three-year grace period has been included in the plan, allowing businesses, particularly restaurants, time to adjust before strict enforcement begins in 2027 — when the Yoon Suk Yeol government ends its term.

Hong stressed that his party would “form a social consensus on the proposed bill and ensure it passes through the National Assembly's plenary session quickly.”

First lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday, local time, holds two puppies at an animal protection facility in Amsterdam she visited during President Yoon Suk Yeol's five-day state visit to the Netherlands. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Meanwhile, first lady Kim shared her hopes for the special law to root out dog meat consumption to be enacted as soon as possible during Yoon's five-day state visit to the Netherlands.

She stressed that banning dog meat consumption is “the promise made by the president” as she visited the DOA, an animal protection facility in Amsterdam, on Tuesday, local time, according to the presidential office.

Kim is a well-known animal rights advocate who has constantly shown interest in animal welfare. She visited the Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center in South Chungcheong in April and met with renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, who visited Seoul in July, to talk about dog meat consumption and improvement of animal welfare, according to the presidential office.

Korea's centuries-old practice of dog meat consumption has seen a notable decline in recent decades, with many perceiving the tradition as a potential cause of international embarrassment. However, some advocates argue that it's important to give individuals the freedom to choose what they eat.

On Tuesday, the Korean Dog Meat Association rallied in front of the National Assembly, urging political parties to halt the bill, stressing that such consumption is a matter of people’s basic rights. They also pointed out that the unilateral decision without public consensus is an “abuse of power.” The association added that the bill will endanger dog meat farmers and related industry workers.

Rep. Yu Eui-dong, the ruling People Power Party's chief policymaker, said that appropriate compensation and assistance to shut down businesses will be provided for those who submit cessation plans and local government declarations.

According to government estimates, more than 1,150 farms, 34 slaughterhouses, 219 distribution companies, and approximately 1,600 restaurants are engaged in the production of dog meat.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]