South Korea aims to ban eating dogs

The Korean practice of eating dogs has drawn criticism from overseas for its cruelty and  awareness of animal protections is growing at home, particularly from the younger generation.

For this reason, South Korea has aimed to ban eating dog meat and put an end to controversy over the ancient custom.

The government and the ruling People Power Party on Friday agreed to introduce before the end of the year an act to end dog meat consumption by 2027, officials said.

“It is time to put an end to social conflicts and controversies around dog meat consumption through the enactment of a special act to end it,” Yu Eui-dong, policy chief of the People Power Party, said at a meeting with government officials and animal protection activists.

The legislation would ban the breeding of dogs for slaughter as well as dog meat sales, local media reported. A three-year grace period would be matched by financial support for businesses to transition out of the trade.
Yu said the the bill is expected to win bipartisan support, which should allow it to sail through parliament.