Ban on Dog Meat Consumption Law to Be Enacted Within the Year... Yukgyeon Association Says "Crazy. 100% Election Ploy"

Juyeongbong Dog Breeding Association Food and Survival Rights Chairman
"Talks of Releasing 2 Million Dogs in Yongsan"

The Livestock Dog Association strongly opposed the ruling party and the government’s plan to push for the enactment of a special law to end dog meat consumption within this year, saying, "There are even talks about releasing the 2 million dogs we raise in Yongsan, Hannam Bridge, and in front of the Minister of Agriculture’s house."

If the special law is enacted, the breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale of dogs for food will be prohibited. However, to minimize the impact on the industry, enforcement is planned to begin in 2027.

On the 21st, Joo Young-bong, Chairman of the Livestock Dog Association’s Committee on the Right to Eat and Survival, appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' and strongly opposed the plan to enact the special law within the year, saying, "They have completely lost their minds," and "The wife of the president made outrageous remarks trampling on human rights and depriving the people’s right to food for the sake of dog rights, and ruling party lawmakers who get elected by nomination are lining up one after another to support it."

In front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, officials from the Korea Dog Meat Association held a press conference urging the cessation of policies aimed at eradicating dog meat farms. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman Joo said the special law to end dog meat consumption is "100% electioneering," adding, "They say they will end dog meat consumption to sway public opinion for election purposes. The government, political circles, and the National Assembly have less than 0.1% stake in banning dog meat consumption because they have never given us even a single 10-won coin in support."

He continued, "We have been demanding for years that hygiene management and laws be established regarding (dog meat) slaughter, and that we also be subject to legal management, but the government has neglected and abandoned us," and said, "If the (special law) passes, we will mobilize all legal means, including constitutional lawsuits."

On the other hand, animal protection groups welcomed the move. Cho Hee-kyung, head of Animal Freedom Union, said regarding the Livestock Dog Association’s claim of 'electioneering,' "There is a key point in that statement. It means politicians have responded to what the public earnestly wants," adding, "The majority of the people do not eat dogs and the political circles have recognized that it is time to stop the cruelty and national dignity issues derived from dog meat consumption."

Cho also added, "(Dog meat consumption) has not been a legal industry, so government support could not be provided," and "The dog meat industry was originally based on illegality, and the Livestock Dog Association has maintained it for years."

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