On Tuesday, lawmakers in South Korea achieved a significant milestone by approving a landmark ban on the production and sale of dog meat for human consumption. This practice, deeply rooted in the country’s history, has been a target of opposition from animal rights activists for generations.
The parliamentary vote in favor of the ban was unanimous, with 208 lawmakers supporting the decision. The ban is set to be implemented in 2027, following a three-year transition period. This grace period allows dog farmers and restaurants involved in the trade to either repurpose their businesses or cease their operations.
Animal rights activists welcomed the ban, marking a victory after years of organized and vocal opposition to the consumption of dog meat, particularly in dishes such as stews. South Korea now joins a growing list of regions that have implemented similar bans, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, Thailand, and Singapore. Additionally, various cities in China, Indonesia, and Cambodia’s Siem Reap province have also instituted measures to prohibit the consumption of dog meat, as reported by Humane Society International.
According to David Fields, a professor and director for the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the consumption of dog meat, tied to traditional Korean medicine, has not been popular among younger South Koreans for generations. Fields, who is 40 years old, stated that he has never met a person of his age group in South Korea who engages in this practice. He pointed out that only individuals from the older generations, specifically the parents or grandparents of younger South Koreans, still partake in the tradition of eating dog meat. a significant milestone
David Fields, the professor and director for the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, noted that traditional Korean medicine has historically advised consuming dog meat on the hottest days of summer as a means of staying cool. Fields, who lived in South Korea on and off for four years, has discussed the topic with locals. He suggested that the decline in popularity of this practice among younger South Koreans may be influenced by factors such as increased access to air conditioning.
The executive director for Korea at Humane Society International celebrated the ban, describing it as “history in the making.” This move is seen as a significant step toward ending the age-old practice of consuming dog meat in South Korea.