Ruling Party and Government "Push to Enact Special Law to End Dog Meat Consumption Within This Year... 3-Year Grace Period"

Considering preparation time and industry closures
Grace period granted

The People Power Party and the government have decided to enact a special law within this year to end dog meat consumption. With the Democratic Party adopting the so-called 'Kim Geon-hee Act' banning dog meat consumption as a party policy, related legislation is expected to accelerate. The party and government have agreed to grant a three-year grace period until 2026, considering industry closures.

On the 17th, Yoo Ui-dong, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, stated at a briefing after the 'Comprehensive Council on Ending Dog Meat Consumption and Improving Animal Medical Care' held at the National Assembly, "Considering the increase in pet-owning households, heightened public awareness, and international standing, it is time to end dog meat consumption," adding, "We will push for the enactment of a special law to end dog meat consumption within this year as soon as possible."

Yu Eui-dong, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Civil-Government-Party Council on Ending Dog Meat Consumption and Improving Animal Medical Care held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The party and government plan to strengthen crackdowns on illegal dog farms under current laws while granting a three-year grace period considering industry closures. Yoo said, "We will prohibit the breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale of dogs for food, but taking into account the preparation period for business transitions and closures, enforcement will begin in 2027." If the bill is enacted, dogs will be excluded from livestock under the Livestock Act.

Jung Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, added, "Although there is a three-year grace period, there have been laws in place, but enforcement has been minimal so far. We will strengthen enforcement under current laws."

They also announced plans to provide maximum support for the livelihoods of farms and slaughterhouses that inevitably have to transition or close due to the law's enactment. Yoo explained, "However, support will be limited to those who comply with reporting requirements and meet the conditions," adding, "(The bill) will reflect government opinions, communicate with stakeholders, and pursue bipartisan cooperation." According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the day, 1,156 farms, 34 slaughterhouses, 219 distributors, and 1,666 restaurants will need to transition or close due to the end of dog meat consumption.

Additionally, the party and government proposed activating pet insurance as part of animal medical care improvements. Yoo said, "To allow pet owners to know expected medical costs in advance, we will expand the current advance notice requirement from major treatments to all medical items and broaden the scope of posted medical fees."

They also plan to establish procedures for resolving animal medical accidents. Yoo stated, "We will create a system and procedures for dispute resolution in case of medical accidents," adding, "We will establish a mandatory mediation organization for animal medical accidents."

Introduction of 'advanced hospitals' capable of providing high-level treatment for animals is also expected. The party and government announced plans to introduce an advanced hospital system specializing in high-level services such as ophthalmology and dentistry to enhance pet owners' choice of animal hospitals.

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