Yoon Seok-yeol's Remark on 'Dogs for Consumption'...Sharp Criticism from Both Parties "No Dog Is Born for Consumption"

Yoo Seung-min "Pet owner Yoon Seok-yeol, uncomfortable hearing 'dog meat' remark"
Lee Jae-myung "Denial of pet abuse is problematic, but distinction between dog meat consumption and non-consumption is more shocking"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is answering questions from reporters after concluding a meeting with the Gyeonggi Province campaign headquarters and party district chairpersons at the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Office in Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Sharp criticism from both ruling and opposition parties continues over former Prosecutor General and People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks about 'dogs for consumption.'

On the 1st, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a rival within the party, sharply criticized Yoon's comment, "Don't they raise dogs separately for consumption?" saying, "It was very uncomfortable to hear."

Yoon appeared on a primary TV debate the day before and said regarding the dog consumption issue, "Personally, I am against it, but shouldn't there be a broad social consensus when it is a national policy?"

Yoo countered, "This is directly related to pet abuse," to which Yoon replied, "It's not abuse of pets; don't they raise dogs separately for consumption?"

Regarding this, Yoo said on YTN Radio, "Nowadays, the number of pet owners exceeds 15 million. It's time to ban the consumption of dogs." He added, "Candidate Yoon also raises dogs and cats at home. I also love dogs very much. They are all the same and cute dogs."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, also criticized Yoon's remarks on his Facebook that day, saying, "There are no dogs born for consumption."

He stated, "At yesterday's People Power Party presidential candidate debate, Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol said, 'Dog consumption is not pet abuse; dogs for consumption are raised separately.' The claim that dog consumption is not pet abuse is a big problem, but the distinction between dogs for consumption and non-consumption is even more shocking."

He continued, "There are no dogs born for consumption. Recognizing lives born to die, dogs for consumption, is a tragic matter," emphasizing, "One's values and worldview are reflected in their perspectives, perceptions, and attitudes toward all things and phenomena."

He added, "Therefore, I am deeply concerned that Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol's perception and attitude of dividing dogs into consumption and non-consumption categories may be reflected in his diagnosis and solutions to other social problems. Just as we must change a world where the color of one's spoon is determined at birth, we must also change the perspective and attitude that accept lives born to die, dogs for consumption."

Finally, Lee said, "I hope Candidate Yoon apologizes now to the citizens who were hurt by his remarks as a pet owner."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.