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South Korea has passed a law banning the sale of dog meat from 2027.
Dog meat stew, called boshintang, is considered a delicacy by some elderly South Koreans. But in a few years, it will be more difficult to eat this dish in this Asian country.
The slaughter and sale of dogs for meat will become illegal in South Korea after lawmakers on Tuesday backed a new law aimed at ending the centuries-old practice.
According to the new law, which will come into force in 2027, it is not the consumption of dog meat itself that will be illegal, but its marketing.
According to a Gallup poll last year, only 8% of people said they had eaten dog meat in the past 12 months, compared to 27% in 2015. Furthermore, less than a fifth of those surveyed said they had eaten dog meat in the past 12 months. declared in favor of the consumption of dog meat.
“Boshintang” is not very popular among the younger generation.
Lee Chae-yeon, a 22-year-old student, believes the ban was necessary to promote animal rights. “Nowadays, more and more people have pets,” she told the BBC in Seoul. “Dogs have become members of the family and it’s not fair to eat our family.”
What the law says
The new law focuses on the dog meat trade.
People found guilty of killing dogs face up to three years in prison, while people who breed dogs to sell as dog meat can serve a maximum sentence of two years.
Farmers and restaurateurs have three years to find other sources of employment and income before the new rule takes effect.
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Dog breeders protested against the measure last November.
According to official statistics, in 2023 South Korea had around 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 breeding farms, which will now have to submit to local authorities a plan for the gradual closure of their activities.
The Government has pledged to fully support dog breeders, butchers and restaurateurs whose businesses will be forced to close, although details of the compensation to be offered have not yet been finalised.
Tuesday lunchtime in Seoul, on a street lined with several dog meat restaurants, a handful of elderly people were enjoying dog stew. The generation gap is deep on this issue.
Kim Seon-ho, 86, is disappointed by the ban. “We've been eating this since the Middle Ages, so why stop us from eating our traditional food? “If they ban dog meat, they should ban beef.
Re-examination of traditions
Since the 1980s, the various governments that committed to banning dog meat have made no progress.
The current president, Yoon Suk-yeol, and first lady, Kim Keon-hee, are known to be animal lovers; They also have six dogs. Kim has repeatedly called for an end to this practice.
Animal rights activists, who have long campaigned for a ban, welcomed the outcome of Tuesday's vote.
Jung Ah Chae, executive director of the Korean Animal Protection Society, said she did not expect to see the ban in her lifetime.
“While my heart breaks for the millions of dogs for whom this change comes too late, I am happy that South Korea can close this miserable chapter in our history and embrace a dog-friendly future,” she said. declared.
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Boiled dog meat has long been a part of South Korean cuisine.
Meat dog breeders campaigned against the ban.
They believe that, given the decline in popularity of this practice among young people, it should be allowed to die out naturally over time.
Many ranchers and restaurant owners are elderly and say it would be difficult for them to change careers at such an old age.
Joo Yeong-bong, a dog breeder, told the BBC the industry was desperate.
“In ten years, the industry will be gone. We are between 60 and 70 years old and we have no choice but to lose our livelihood,” said Joo Yeong-bong, who sees the law as ” a violation of people’s freedom to eat what they want.”
Kim, a dog meat restaurant owner in her 60s, told the BBC she was disappointed by the ban. She said the move was in response to the increase in the number of people owning pets in South Korea.
“Nowadays, young people do not marry, so they consider pets as family, but food is food. We should accept dog meat, but raise and slaughter it in an environment hygienic,” Ms. Kim said. “Other countries like China and Vietnam eat dogs, so why are we banning it?”
