Yoon "I Have Talked with My Wife About the Ban on Dog Meat Consumption"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that the Dog Meat Prohibition Act, passed through bipartisan agreement, is "something that can now be pursued."

In a New Year's interview with KBS aired on the evening of the 7th, President Yoon said, "If the culture of (South) Korea has changed regarding dog meat consumption, then it is now possible to push forward with a law banning it," adding, "As a country with advanced science and technology, Korea could disappoint overseas observers, so it is time for this law to be changed through bipartisan agreement."

He said, "During the presidential primary, I was heavily criticized for not taking a firm stance on the dog meat issue," and added, "While banning dog meat consumption is the right thing to do, I expressed the opinion that enforcing it by law might be difficult, which led to criticism and difficulties." He further noted, "A law does not have to be created only if 100% of the people agree."

When asked by the anchor whether he had discussed the Dog Meat Prohibition Act with First Lady Kim Keon-hee, he replied, "Since my wife and I raise six dogs and consider them like our children, dog owners who oppose the prohibition have also asked us to support the legislative movement to ban dog meat consumption." He added, "So we have talked about this issue at home," and said, "My wife also has quite an active stance on this matter."

Meanwhile, the Dog Meat Prohibition Act, which bans the slaughter, breeding, and reproduction of dogs for food purposes, passed the National Assembly on the 9th of last month. The law prohibits breeding, reproducing, or slaughtering dogs for food, as well as the distribution and sale of foods cooked or processed using dogs or dog-derived ingredients. Previously, both ruling and opposition parties had effectively agreed to make the prohibition of dog meat consumption a party policy and pushed for its enactment.

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