[On Site] Demand for 'Ban on Dog Meat Consumption Pledge Implementation' in Front of Transition Committee... Can Toriappa Yoon Reach a Conclusion?

On the morning of the 18th, a performance press conference urging the implementation of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's pledge to ban dog meat consumption was held in front of the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Woo-seok beedolll97@asiae.co.kr

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] Animal protection groups have demanded for two consecutive weeks near the Presidential Transition Committee office that "President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol fulfill his pledge to ban dog meat consumption," drawing attention to whether President-elect Yoon will be able to resolve this issue in the next administration.

On the morning of the 18th, a "Performance Press Conference Urging President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to Fulfill His Pledge to Ban Dog Meat Consumption" was held in front of the Presidential Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Hosted by animal protection groups representing 15 million pet owners, the press conference proceeded with a statement reading, a performance urging the ban on dog meat consumption, and the delivery of a letter.

The group stated, "In the 20th presidential election, President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol pledged to promote the ban on dog meat consumption. We urge the president-elect to definitely implement and fulfill this pledge." They added, "President-elect Yoon is a pet owner of seven animals, including four abandoned dogs and three abandoned cats. To prove his love by raising his dogs and cats like his own children, we hope he will keep his promise to ban the consumption of dogs and cats."

They continued, "All dogs are the same dogs, and all dogs are the same companion animals. The claim that there are separate 'meat dogs' and 'companion dogs' is an excuse fabricated by dog traders and is nothing but fiction," targeting President-elect Yoon's statement during the presidential election that "there are separate meat dogs."

During the 10th debate of the People Power Party's presidential primary in October last year, President-elect Yoon faced criticism from animal protection groups and pet owners for his remark regarding dog meat consumption: "(Dog meat consumption) is not abuse, and aren't meat dogs raised separately?"

The group also said, "On April 5th, the National Assembly passed 54 animal protection laws proposed during the 21st National Assembly, but the animal protection law banning dog meat consumption was the only one excluded." They emphasized, "We urge the enactment of a special law banning dog meat consumption to end dog meat consumption as soon as possible. We urge President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to promptly implement his pledge to ban dog meat consumption and create a proud Korea without dog meat consumption."

This press conference was held for the second consecutive week at the same location following the event on the 11th. At that time, they also demanded President-elect Yoon fulfill his pledge to ban dog meat consumption along with a performance.

Demands from animal protection groups to ban dog meat consumption have been ongoing recently. On the 30th of last month, animal protection groups including the Animal Protection Union held a press conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, urging the passage of the dog meat ban law and the fulfillment of related pledges by President-elect Yoon. On the 23rd, representatives of 15 million pet owners held a press conference at the fountain in front of the Blue House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on "International Puppy Day," urging former President Moon Jae-in to proclaim a special law banning dog meat consumption.

'15 million pet owners' held a press conference on March 23 in front of the fountain at Cheongwadae, Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging President Moon Jae-in to announce a special law banning dog meat consumption in observance of 'International Dog Day.'

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Currently, the issue of banning dog meat consumption is being discussed by the "Committee for the Discussion of Dog Meat Consumption Issues," a social deliberation body under the Moon Jae-in administration. This committee was formed in December last year after President Moon Jae-in stated in September that "it is time to carefully consider banning dog meat consumption." It consists of dog breeders, animal protection groups, and government officials. The committee's operation period is five months, from December last year to April this year.

However, as of April, no conclusion has been reached due to unresolved differences between the dog meat association and animal protection groups. When the comprehensive amendment to the Animal Protection Act was passed in the National Assembly on April 5th, the ban on dog meat consumption was excluded from the bill.

According to the operating regulations, if no conclusion is reached by April, the committee is likely to end without any results. Amid this, attention is focused on whether the Yoon Seok-yeol administration will continue the discussions.

President-elect Yoon, who calls himself "Tori's dad," has publicly revealed that he is a pet owner of dogs and cats, and his spouse, Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, recently posted a petition on social media urging punishment for perpetrators of cat abuse, showing high interest in companion animal issues. In fact, President-elect Yoon's campaign pledges included "promoting the ban on dog meat consumption."

However, during the presidential campaign, President-elect Yoon faced difficulties due to remarks implying that companion dogs and meat dogs are separate. Additionally, in response to animal protection groups' inquiries about "measures to promptly end the dog meat industry," he replied that "ending dog meat consumption requires social consensus." In contrast, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and Justice Party presidential candidate Sim Sang-jung responded to the same inquiry by pledging to "prepare measures to promptly end the dog meat industry."

So far, the transition committee has not announced an official position regarding the dog meat consumption issue.

Meanwhile, public opinion on dog meat consumption appears to be divided. In September last year, a survey conducted by polling agency R&Search of 1,132 adults nationwide on the complete ban of dog meat consumption showed 36.3% in favor, 27.5% opposed, with support leading by about 8%. The undecided group was 36.1%.

On the other hand, in November last year, a survey commissioned by OhmyNews to polling agency Realmeter of 500 adults nationwide showed opposition to the legislation banning dog meat consumption at 48.9% (21.9% strongly opposed, 27.0% somewhat opposed), and support at 38.6% (19.5% strongly in favor, 19.0% somewhat in favor), with opposition about 10% higher. The undecided opinion was 12.6%.

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