'D-4' Animal Protection Groups vs. Yukgyeon Association Ahead of Chobok

Pro and Con Events Separated by a Road in Downtown Seoul
Yukgyeon Association and Police Clash Over Dog 'Tasting'

On the 11th, three days before Chobok, animal protection groups and the Korea Dog Meat Association clashed over the issue of dog meat consumption in downtown Seoul. While animal protection groups urged the prompt passage of amendments to the Animal Protection Act, the Dog Meat Association countered by advocating for the guarantee of their right to livelihood through dog meat tasting events.

'National Action to End Dog Meat Consumption' (hereafter National Action), consisting of 31 animal organizations and civil society groups nationwide including Animal Rights Action Kara and Animal Freedom Union, held the '2023 National Rally to End Dog Meat Consumption' at noon on the 8th in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

National Action to End Dog Meat Consumption '2023 National Rally to Urge the End of Dog Meat Consumption'.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

National Action demanded, "The government must strictly crack down on and punish illegal activities arising from the dog meat industry and establish procedures for the complete abolition of dog meat consumption." They also urged the National Assembly to "promptly review and pass the 'Special Act to End Dog Meat Consumption' currently proposed, as well as the amendment to the Animal Protection Act that includes a ban on dog meat consumption."

Despite the 30-degree heat that day, the organizers estimated about 400 participants gathered, chanting slogans such as "The people demand it. End dog meat consumption" and "Crack down on illegal slaughter and distribution and punish offenders."

They performed a balloon-popping performance urging the swift end of the dog meat industry and displayed a banner reading "The time has come, a Korea without dog meat." After the rally, participants marched from Bosingak toward Gwanghwamun.

At the same time, across the street, the Korea Dog Meat Association held a press conference. The organizers estimated about 250 dog meat industry workers gathered in front of the SC First Bank headquarters in Jongno-gu, stating, "Companion dogs and dogs for consumption are completely different," and urged, "Exclude companion dogs from the livestock under the Enforcement Decree of the Livestock Act and include dogs for consumption under the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act."

Wearing vests labeled "Fight for the Right to Livelihood," they claimed, "Why would there be people producing, selling, and distributing dog meat if there were no consumers?" and "Animal groups that interfere with the public's eating habits and violate the livelihood rights of dog meat industry workers are violent groups."

Around 1 p.m., members of the Dog Meat Association attempted to take out and eat dog meat they had prepared in advance but were stopped by the police. For a while, loud exchanges and insults occurred between the police and participants. The participants protested, saying, "Why can't we even have lunch?" and "We will hold the Jongno Police Station responsible for continuously labeling our legally permitted rally as illegal."

When the police stepped back, they played janggu drums and gongs, shouting, "Let's eat dog meat proudly," and "Don't care about animal protection groups, eat proudly," while eating dog meat. A police official stated, "There is no legal basis to prohibit the consumption of dog meat itself, but we temporarily intervened due to possible violations of the Animal Protection Act," and added, "An investigation is planned regarding this matter."

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