Dog meat farms, slaughterhouses, and sales would be banned under the bill - and farmers would be supported as they transition to other industries
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A South Korean politician has introduced a bill that seeks to end the dog meat trade in a move described as a ‘historic moment for animal welfare‘.
Democratic Party Assembly Member Jeoung-ae Han’s legislative bill , called a Special Act, would outlaw the breeding and slaughter of dogs for human consumption.
This would include prohibiting dog meat farms, dog slaughterhouses and the sale of dog meat throughout South Korea. It would also support dog farmers to transition to alternative businesses.
The bill follows work by animal advocacy organisation HSI/Korea, which has been working behind the scenes with Korean lawmakers on a legislative ban.
According to the organisation, an estimated one million dogs are still intensively bred on thousands of farms across the country, typically in extremely low-welfare conditions.
Dogs on a, now closed, dog meat farm in Asan, South Korea. These dogs were rescued by HSI in March 2023. Photo © Jean Chung/for HSI
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Dog meat trade
HSI/Korea has been working with dog meat farmers to end the trade for years.
Under its Models for Change program, which launched in 2015, working with farmers it has permanently closed down 18 farms, rescued more than 2,700 dogs, and helped farmers transition to alternative livelihoods such as water delivery or chilli plant cultivation.
Now the Special Act, which it has helped work on behind the scenes, and which is supported by 11 bipartisan sponsors, comes amid increasing public and political support for ending the dog meat industry in South Korea.
A recent opinion poll by Nielsen Korea commissioned by HSI/Korea showed that 87.5 per cent of the population doesn’t eat dog meat or won’t in the future, and 56 per cent supports a legislative ban.
And South Korea’s first lady Kim Keon-hee has openly called for a ban.
According to HSI/Korea, the government formed a task force to bring forward recommendations on the issue in December 2021, but after repeated delays, the organisation came together with Assembly member Han to advance this Special Act to accelerate a phase out.
Dr. Katherine Polak, vice president of companion animals and engagement of HSI, gently holds a new-born puppy on a dog meat farm in Asan, South Korea. Photo © Jean Chung/for HSI
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‘Historic moment for animal welfare’
In a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living, Borami Seo, director of government affairs at HSI/Korea who works closely with lawmakers to achieve legislation, was optimistic about what the bill might achieve.
She said: “This is an historic moment for animal welfare in South Korea which hopefully marks the beginning of the end for the industry in our country. It’s clear that there is significant societal and political momentum to end South Korea’s dog meat era once and for all.
“This Special Act aims to establish the state plan to end the dog meat industry and offer farmers business transition opportunities that will also see an end to the abuse and suffering of hundreds of thousands of dogs each year for a meat that most people in Korea do not wish to eat.
“Consumption [of the meat] may have been a part of Korea’s past, but it has no place in our future. HSI/Korea’s Models for Change program provides a working blueprint for how we can phase out this industry in co-operation instead of conflict with farmers.
“It’s now time for our legislators to pass this Special Act so that together we can consign this dying industry to the history books.”
Don’t see the difference between dogs and animals like cow and pigs? Learn how Elwood’s Organic Dog Farm is shining a light on this dissonance.
Featured photo © Jean Chung/for HSI
