According to the Korea Herald, the law banning the raising and selling of dogs for meat marks a significant turning point in the dog meat industry in South Korea. The government is compensating more than 5,600 dog meat shops before forcing them to close completely.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), a total of 5,625 businesses will be affected by the law and therefore eligible for state support.
However, stakeholders, including farm owners and dog meat sellers, have responded, expressing concerns about livelihoods as well as the practical challenges of how to handle hundreds of thousands of dogs on farms. The government plan includes financial support for farm owners based on when they close, with compensation ranging from 225,000 to 600,000 won ($170 to $450) per dog.
South Koreans continue to debate dog meat ban
After the closure, the remaining dogs will be taken care of by local animal rescue shelters. If the rescue shelters are not able to accommodate the dogs, the remaining dogs will be temporarily placed on farms under government supervision. But dog owners say this plan is unrealistic.
The dissatisfaction of dog meat farmers has not yet subsided. The Korea Edible Dog Association, which represents about 1.5 million dog farmers, has filed a complaint with the government, arguing that the ban violates their freedom of choice of occupation and freedom of food.
Banning the dog meat trade in South Korea is not easy.
The association has also asked the Korean Audit and Inspection Commission to look into allegations of abuse of power that have affected the livelihoods of dog meat farmers. Eating dog meat has a long history in Korea, with the belief that dog meat restores human health.
In January 2024, the South Korean National Assembly passed a bill banning the eating and selling of dog meat, ending this centuries-old controversial tradition. The decision by the South Korean National Assembly has received increasing support from the Korean people, especially those who love animals and care about animal welfare.
Korean society continues to be divided over the ban on eating dog meat.
The South Korean government will spend about 100 billion won ($75 million) to help dog breeders, farmers and restaurants quit the dog meat business, said Park Beom-su, South Korea's vice agriculture minister.
