South Korean Parliament Endorses Bill to Ban Dog Meat Consumption in Landmark Decision

The South Korean Parliament has made a groundbreaking decision to ban dog meat consumption, marking a significant shift in the country's attitude towards animal welfare. This bill aims to put an end to the dog meat trade, which has been a long-standing issue in South Korea.

The ban is expected to impact millions of dogs, many of whom are brutally killed and consumed in a brutal industry that has been shrouded in secrecy for far too long. The bill's passage is a testament to the growing public outcry against animal cruelty.

South Korean lawmakers have been working tirelessly to bring this issue to light, and their efforts have paid off. The bill's endorsement is a major victory for animal welfare advocates who have been fighting for years to end the dog meat trade.

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South Korea has voted to ban the centuries-old dog meat industry, with campaigners calling it "history in the making". The ban will make the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs and dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027.

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Hundreds of thousands of dogs are farmed and killed in South Korea each year, but attitudes have changed in recent times and demand is at an all-time low. Most dogs are electrocuted or hanged, but those involved in the trade claim slaughtering has become more humane.

The bill was endorsed by South Korea's parliament with 208 votes to zero on Tuesday, but dog farmers said they planned an appeal and protests. The ban will include penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30m KRW (£18,000).

Setting up new dog farms, slaughterhouses, and cooking and processing facilities will be banned immediately. However, the bill does not stipulate penalties for eating dog meat.

Support for the ban grew under President Yoon Suk Yeol, an animal lover who has adopted six dogs and eight cats. The government has offered assistance to dog farmers and others in the industry in shutting down their businesses and shifting to alternatives.

The legislation doesn't clearly specify how dog farmers and others in the industry will be supported after the ban, which will likely result in continued animosities, observers say.

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South Korea's parliament has made a historic decision to ban the dog meat industry, with a bill passing by a landslide vote of 208-0.

The ban will make slaughtering, breeding, and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027, punishable by 2-3 years in prison.

Hundreds of thousands of dogs are farmed and killed in South Korea each year, but attitudes have changed in recent times, and demand is at an all-time low.

Campaigners say most dogs are electrocuted or hanged, but those in the industry claim slaughtering has become more humane.

The government has announced a three-year grace period and support for businesses to transition away from the trade, but it's unclear how dog farmers and others in the industry will be supported after the ban.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, an animal lover who has adopted six dogs and eight cats, has expressed his support for the ban, calling it "history in the making".

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The ban is a significant victory for animal rights activists, who have been pushing for a prohibition on dog meat consumption for years.

The Humane Society International has hailed the legislation's passage as "history in the making", with executive director JungAh Chae saying she never thought she'd see a ban on the cruel dog meat industry in her lifetime.

The National Assembly passed the bill, and it will become law after being endorsed by the Cabinet Council and signed by President Yoon Suk Yeol, a formality since his government supports the ban.

South Korea's first lady, Kim Keon Hee, has also expressed her support for the ban, but has faced criticism and insults from dog farmers.

Dogs are now seen more as family-like pets than food, with over half of South Koreans wanting dog meat banned and a majority no longer eating it.

The ban will have a significant impact on the country's dog meat industry, which has been a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula.