Arab News Japan

On Tuesday, South Korea passed a bill that would end the long-term practice of trading and selling dog meat, which will take effect in 2027. 

Mostly eaten by older people nowadays, eating dog meat was considered a way to improve stamina during the summer. However, activists argue that dogs are mistreated as they are electrocuted or hanged when slaughtered for meat. 

In 2022, the Korean agricultural ministry revealed that around 1,100 farms were breading 570,000 dogs to be served at approximately 1,600 restaurants.  

The ban has gained support from South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, as he and the first lady, Kim Keon Hee, have adopted six dogs and eight cats together. 

The bill was proposed by the ruling party and passed by an overwhelming majority of 208 votes with two abstentions. 

The legislation takes effect after a three-year grace period in 2027, and those who break the law will be punished by three years in prison or a 30 million Korean won (3,284,988 yen) fine.

Consuming dog meat in Japan is not common. In 2020, Japanese lawmakers submitted a request letter to former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to call for an international agreement with the United States to prohibit the consumption of dogs and cats.