'Can We Distinguish Between Companion Dogs and Dogs for Consumption?'... "Without Legal Framework, Only Exhaustive Debates Repeat"

Yukgyeon Association "Consumption of Dog Meat is Natural"
Animal Protection Groups "Arbitrary Standards Only"
Ambiguous Legislation Fueling Conflict Issues

The core issue dividing opinions on dog meat consumption lies in the conflicting views on companion dogs and dogs raised for meat. Those opposing consumption hold the view that "all dogs are the same," while supporters believe that "there are specific dogs raised for meat."

On Malbok Day, the 16th, officials from the Korea Dog Meat Association held a press conference in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the cessation of the policy to eradicate dog meat farms. Behind them, an animal protection group held a cultural event opposing the consumption of companion animals. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Korea Dog Meat Association, as indicated by the word ‘육견 (Yukgyeon, meat dog)’ in its name, supports dog meat consumption. On the 10th, Ju Young-bong, the Survival Rights Struggle Committee Chairman of the Korea Dog Meat Association, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "Dogs were not originally raised as companion animals but have been bred for various human purposes such as military dogs, drug detection dogs, and fighting dogs," adding, "Dogs raised specifically for meat consumption are a natural phenomenon, no different from consuming pork or chicken."

According to a survey conducted by the Korea Dog Meat Association, the amount of dog meat shipped from farms nationwide reached about 7 tons annually as of 2019. This ranks fifth in quantity after pork, chicken, beef, and duck. However, the association also acknowledges the trend toward the gradual end of the dog meat industry. They believe there is no need to impose regulations to hasten its end. Chairman Ju stated, "The dog meat industry, which is on the decline, will naturally disappear in a few years even without legal prohibition."

On the other hand, animal protection groups argue that there is no biological basis to distinguish between companion dogs and dogs raised for meat, and that defining ‘meat dogs’ is an arbitrary standard set by those who support dog consumption. Kim Hyun-ji, Policy Director of Animal Rights Action Kara, said, "The Korea Dog Meat Association’s claim that only meat dogs are slaughtered is not true," and added, "In reality, many companion dogs that have lost their owners and roam the streets are taken to dog farms." Kim further explained, "Most of the dogs slaughtered on farms are breeds like Jindo dogs, Korea’s native breed, and there are numerous cases of national dog breeds from abroad being slaughtered, which supports this claim."

Animal protection organizations have taken this opportunity to demand a complete end to dog meat consumption. The photo shows representatives of civic groups, including the Korea Animal Protection Federation, holding a press conference in front of Seoul City Hall in February last year to welcome the proposal of the "Ordinance on the Promotion of Dog Meat Consumption Ban Culture" and to urge crackdowns and bans on illegal dog carcass soup. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The lax legal framework also fuels the debate over dog meat consumption. Under the current Livestock Act, dogs are classified as livestock and can be raised on farms for meat purposes. However, the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act does not recognize dogs as livestock, so there are no standards for slaughter or distribution. This creates a background where farms or breeding facilities raise dogs in unsanitary conditions for slaughter and distribution.

The ambiguity in the law does not end there. Under the Food Sanitation Act, dogs are not considered food ingredients, so processing or cooking dog meat is prohibited. Yet, there is no clause that outright bans the consumption of dog meat itself. This is why restaurants advertising dishes like Bosintang (dog meat soup) or Sacheoltang (year-round dog meat soup) continue to operate openly. According to a survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in February this year, there are 1,666 restaurants nationwide that serve dog meat.

Professor Kwon Hoon-jung of Seoul National University’s Department of Food and Nutrition advocates for revising the law to bring dog meat into the ‘legal domain.’ Professor Kwon emphasized, "Currently, dog meat comes from dogs that are diseased or unhealthy and are slaughtered and distributed outside the legal oversight, so consumers have no way of knowing. Since dog meat has long been part of our culture, it is necessary to recognize this and discuss the consumption of healthy dog meat within the legal framework."

In contrast, Professor Kim Sung-ho of Korea Bible University’s Department of Social Welfare opposed the legalization of dog meat consumption, saying it does not align with international trends or the times. Professor Kim pointed out, "There is no country in the world that legally permits dog meat consumption," and added, "If Korea legally opens the door to dog meat consumption, it would be the first country to make such a decision." He also expressed, "Given the strong public aversion, legalizing dog meat consumption is not a discussion that fits the current reality."

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