South Korea aims to ban eating dog meat and end controversy over the ancient custom amid rising awareness of animal rights, the ruling party’s policy chief said on Friday.
The Korean practice of eating dogs has drawn criticism from abroad for its cruelty but there is also growing opposition at home, especially from the younger generation.
“It is time to end the social conflict and controversy over the use of dog meat by enacting a special act to end it,” Yu Eui-dong, policy chief of the ruling People’s Power Party, said at a meeting with government officials and animal rights activists.
The government and ruling party will introduce a bill this year to enforce the ban, Yu said, adding that with expected bipartisan support, the bill should sail through parliament.
Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun told the meeting the government would implement the ban quickly and provide maximum support possible to those in the dog meat industry to shut down their businesses.
First Lady Kim Keon Hee has been a vocal critic of the consumption of dog meat and, along with her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, has taken in stray dogs.
South Korea aims to ban eating dog meat and end controversy over the ancient custom amid rising awareness of animal rights, the ruling party’s policy chief said. Reuters
“It is time to end the social conflict and controversy over the consumption of dog meat by enacting a special act to end it,” Yu Eui-dong, policy chief of the ruling People’s Power Party, said. Steve Cho Kyewoong/Penta Press/Shutterstock
Anti-dog meat bills have failed in the past due to protests by those involved in the industry, and concerns about the livelihoods of farmers and restaurant owners.
The proposed ban would include a three-year grace period and financial support for businesses to transition out of the trade.
Eating dog meat has been a long-standing practice on the Korean peninsula and is seen as a way to beat the summer heat.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
