Passage of the 'Dog Meat Ban Law'... Imprisonment for Slaughtering for 'Consumption Purposes'

Passed with overwhelming approval regardless of party
Penalty provisions to be enforced after 3 years... grace period before punishment

The so-called "Dog Meat Ban Act," which prohibits the slaughter, breeding, and propagation of dogs for consumption purposes, has passed the National Assembly.

On the 9th, the National Assembly held a plenary session and passed the Special Act on the Eradication of Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Consumption. Among the 201 members present, 208 voted in favor and 2 abstained, with overwhelming support across party lines.

On the 9th, the National Assembly plenary session passed the "Special Act on the Termination of Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Food Purposes." Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The bill primarily prohibits the breeding, propagation, or slaughter of dogs for consumption purposes, as well as the distribution and sale of foods prepared or processed using dogs or dog-derived ingredients. Those who slaughter dogs for consumption may face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won, while those who breed, propagate, or distribute dogs may face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.

Additionally, dog farm owners, dog meat slaughter and distribution merchants, and restaurant owners must report their facilities and business details to the heads of local governments. The state or local governments are also required to support the closure or relocation of reported businesses.

However, the prohibitions on breeding, slaughter, distribution, and the penalty provisions for violations will take effect three years after the law is promulgated. This is to provide a grace period before enforcement.

Meanwhile, both ruling and opposition parties have effectively pursued the "Dog Meat Ban Act" as their party policy. The government and ruling party officially announced the push for the special law through party-government consultations in November last year, and the Democratic Party of Korea also adopted the bill as party policy at a members' meeting in the same month. During a state visit to the Netherlands in December last year, First Lady Kim Keon-hee urged the passage of the bill at a meeting with the Amsterdam Animal Protection Foundation, stating that "the ban on dog meat consumption is the president's promise."

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