Dog Fighting Association: "If Dog Meat Ban Law Passes, Dogs Will Be Released in Yongsan"

"Demolition Costs and Low-Interest Loans? Not Support"
Animal Groups "Welcome Declaration and Implementation of End to Animal Consumption"

"Do you know how strong the farmers' backlash is? There are talks about releasing 2 million dogs at Yongsan, Hannam Bridge, in front of the Minister of Agriculture's house, and at the district offices of the lawmakers who proposed the bill."

The Korea Dog Meat Association argued that it is "depriving the people's right to food" and expressed strong opposition to the legislation banning dog meat consumption. Previously, both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party showed positive responses toward the legislation to ban dog meat consumption.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 17th, the government and the People Power Party announced plans to enact a 'Special Act to Ban Dog Meat Consumption' within the year and to begin enforcement from 2027.

In this situation, on the 21st, Joo Young-bong, the Survival Rights Committee member of the Korea Dog Meat Association, stated on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "This is crazy. Completely crazy," and added, "A few days ago, I went to a bosintang restaurant and asked, and they all said in unison, 'This is completely crazy.'"

He continued, "They trampled on human rights for dog rights and deprived the people's right to food," and sharply criticized, "Ruling party lawmakers are currying favor with power, and even the Minister of Agriculture, who is fully responsible for the nation's food, has become a dog of power, hasn't he?"

Regarding the government's statistics of ▲approximately 1,150 dog meat farms ▲33 slaughterhouses ▲219 distribution companies ▲about 1,600 restaurants, Joo pointed out, "The social discussion body conducted a statistical survey using compensation as bait, but less than 30% of the association members' farms responded to the survey," and said, "The statistic of 1,150 farms is incorrect." He added, "What we have identified is about 3,500 farms."

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, attended a press conference urging the end of dog meat consumption held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on August 30, showing a commemorative painting drawn on the back of her hand.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding the government's plan to support switching to other industries, he said, "They say they will provide support, but there is no support at all. Support for demolition costs, low-interest loans for switching industries cannot be called support or compensation," emphasizing, "In the case of cattle and goats, compensation was provided upon closure, and there is a condition to return within five years after closure, but for us, it is permanent closure."

He continued, "Since August, I have made about 100 requests for meetings and phone calls to the Minister of Agriculture, directors, and section chiefs, but not once have they responded," criticizing the government's lack of communication.

On the other hand, animal rights groups generally gave positive evaluations and welcomed the legislative plan announced by the ruling party and government. Cho Hee-kyung, the representative of Animal Freedom Union, who appeared on the broadcast with Joo, said, "I was so moved, thinking that such a day would really come."

Representative Cho said, "It will come, but the fact that it can be done within my term is very meaningful," and added, "It is not particularly fast, but it always felt so far away, so this day coming makes me feel even more emotional."

Earlier, Animal Rights Action Kara stated, "One million dogs are slaughtered annually, and currently, 300,000 dogs are illegally slaughtered each year for consumption. The government's roadmap is an official halt to the distorted dog meat industry marked by countless animal abuses and illegalities, and we welcome the Republic of Korea government's declaration and implementation to end dog meat consumption."

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