EBN- South Korean Parliament passed a law banning eating and selling dog meat as of 2027.
The National Assembly passed the bill by a 208-0 vote. Although it still needs to be endorsed by the Cabinet Council and signed by President Yoon Suk-yeol to go into force, those steps are considered a formality.
“This law aims to contributing to realizing the values of animal rights, which pursue respect for life and a harmonious co-existence between humans and animals,” the legislation reads.
The law does not stipulate punishments for consuming dog meat.
Dog farmers declared their intention to hold protests against the bill and file a petition at the constitutional court.
Dog meat stew is a delicacy among some older South Koreans. But it is no longer popular with young people.
More than 1,000 farms were breeding almost half a million dogs to serve around 1,600 restaurants as of April 2022.
However, recent surveys show that most South Koreans no longer include the meat in their diets.
The government has promised to fully support dog meat farmers, butchers, and restaurant owners whose businesses will be forced to close, though the details of what compensation will be offered have yet to be worked through.
