DECEMBER 20, 2023
The National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee passed a special law banning the consumption of dogs today (20th) with the agreement of the ruling and opposition parties.
This bill prohibits the breeding and slaughter of dogs for food.
Additionally, government support provisions for related farm owners and restaurant workers were also included in the bill.
Channel A Quote;
You-chan reports:
Today, the National Assembly passed a special law, banning the use of dogs for food.
Byunghoon So, the chairman of the Agriculture, Food, Maritime affairs, and Fisheries, asked the assembly "I would like to propose to end the breeding, slaughtering, and distribution of dogs for food purpose. Do you all understand? (No objection) I declare to move forward with this."
If this law passes the National Assembly, this would completely ban the distribution and sale of food prepared and processed from dogs. It is expected to be implemented in early 2027 with a 3 year trial period. When the business owners of the dogmeat industry heard of this news, they opposed the decision. The government is obliged to support closing and transitioning to a new business, but they are asking for compensations beyond the support. "Since this law has already passed, we are just asking for appropriate compensation. That is all we are asking." said Yong-book Kim, the president of the Mo-ran market. However, Mi-Ryeong Song, the nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs drew the line at the hearing, saying "the compensation is too excessive."
This issue is a controversy. Last summer, the opposing side of dogmeat consumption rallied to stop the dogmeat industry immediately. "Stop the dogmeat consumption! Stop it now!" On the other hand, the Korean dog association brought dozens of dogs to the president's residence/office in Youngsan to oppose the ban on the dogmeat industry. However, this bill has been decided by both parties as de facto policy, it is expected to be passed by the National Assembly without much disagreements.
Channel A news, I am You-Chan.
​
DECEMBER 12, 2023
Special Act on Ending Dogmeat industry Passed by the
National Assembly's Agriculture and Maritime Affairs Committee
Reporter Suyeon Jung
"I am in favor of ending Dogmeat consumption, but I am not participating because I have to deliberate on the Grain Management Act."
Plenary meeting of the Agriculture and Maritime Affairs Committee (Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Sang-gyun Han = On the 12th, Chairman So Byung-hoon of the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Food and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is conducting a plenary meeting
.12.12 2023. xyz@yna.co.kr
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Chung so-yeon = On the 12th, a special law to end dogmeat industry passed a subcommittee of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Committee.
The Democratic Party of Korea (MDP) lawmakers, who are members of the National Assembly's Agriculture and Maritime Affair Committee, held a subcommittee meeting this afternoon and voted on the "Special Act on the Termination of Breeding, Slaughtering, and Distribution for the Purpose of Dogmeat Consumption" as the sole opposition party.
The People Power Party boycotted the meeting in protest against the Grain Management Act, which was vetoed by President Yoon, Suk-yeol, being put back on the agenda of the meeting.
The Special Act on ending Dogmeat consumption prohibits the breeding and slaughtering of dogs for food.
There is also a provision that requires the government to provide livelihood measures for farmers, butchers, distributors, restaurants, and other workers following the termination of dogmeat industry.
A bill to amend the Animal Protection Act to eradicate the culture of eating dogs was also voted on.
The Democratic Party lawmakers on the Agriculture and Maritime Affairs Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "It is of great significance that we have put an end to the national controversy over dogmeat consumption and have taken the first step toward establishing a legislative process."
They also criticized the People Power Party, saying, "We have repeatedly demanded that a meeting be held to examine the Grain Management Act, which aims to introduce a price stabilization system (for agricultural products), but the People Power Party did not even attend the meeting."
An official from the People Power Party's Agriculture and Maritime Affairs Committee said over a phone call, "We are in favor of the law to end dogmeat industry, but the Democratic Party of Korea (MDP) wants to review the Grain Management Act together despite the opposition from the ruling party."
Suyeon Jung (jsy@yna.co.kr)
​
THE PROTESTS OF THE DOG MEAT FARMERS
​
HISTORIC DATE - NOVEMBER 17, 2023
The South Korean government and the ruling People Power Party agreed to introduce a special act to end dog meat consumption in South Korea by 2027
The South Korean government and the ruling People Power Party agreed to introduce, before the end of this year, a special act to end dog meat consumption in Korea by 2027. In a special consultative meeting at the National Assembly, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and ruling party officials agreed to push for the passage of an anti-dog meat bill banning breeding and slaughter of dogs, as well as dog meat delivery and sales.
Under the legislation, farms, butcheries, distribution companies and restaurants would be required to submit proof to local governments that they do not engage in dog breeding or other related works, and a proposed timeline for ending dog meat activities. Violators would be subject to criminal punishment. A grace period of three years will be given to farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry.
People Power Party Policy Steering Committee chief Representative Yu Eui-dong told reporters after the meeting.
“There have been many serious problems, such as animal cruelty and food hygiene. Also, the issue has deepened social conflict for years. We will put an end to social conflict and controversy over dog meats by enacting the special act”
​
Assembly woman Han, Jeong Ae proposed the bill "OutLaw #DogMeat"
October 2, 2023
National Assembly speeds up efforts to outlaw dog meat consumption in S. Korea
Legislative efforts to end dog meat consumption in South Korea are picking up speed amid rare political unity following the presidential office's outspoken support for ending the centuries-old practice.
Calls to end the practice are not new in South Korea, where butchering or eating dog meat is neither explicitly prohibited nor legalized. But the anti-dog meat campaign received fresh attention in late August as first lady Kim Keon Hee made a surprise visit to a civic group's press conference calling for an end to such a practice.
August 23, 2023
“A bill to end dog eating will be passed within this year”… 44 lawmakers proposed a resolution
A National Assembly resolution was proposed calling for a social consensus to end dog meat consumption and with the goal of finalizing related legislation within this year.
Representative Park Hong-geun of the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves as co-chair of the National Assembly Research Group Animal Welfare National Assembly Forum, proposed a resolution containing these contents on the 22nd. 44 lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties participated in the resolution.
April 14, 2023
Ruling party lawmaker tables bill banning dog meat consumption
SEOUL, April 14 (Yonhap) -- A ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker on Friday proposed a bill outlawing the butchery and sale of dog and cat meat in what was seen as a bipartisan effort to put an end to the contentious cultural practice.
Tabled by Rep. Tae Yong-ho of the PPP, the revision to the Animal Protection Act also allows the government to provide subsidies to dog and cat meat businesses that have voluntarily shut down or changed business.
Kim Geon-hee, First Lady of South Korea
calls for end to #DogMeat consumption
November 26, 2023
First lady explains S. Korea's dog meat ban plan to Queen Camilla
First lady Kim Keon Hee told Queen Camilla about South Korea's legislative moves to ban the consumption of dog meat during their meeting in London last week, according to a presidential spokesperson on Sunday.
Touting the move initiated by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the ruling party to ban dog meat sales by 2027, Kim described the proposed legal ban as a constructive step to enhance the awareness of animal rights, spokesperson Lee Do-woon said in a written statement. Yoon's term ends in May 2027.
April 21, 2023
Owners of dog meat farms slam first lady
First lady Kim Keon Hee faces criticism from a group representing dog meat farm owners for her recent remarks calling for an end to the country's contentious culture of eating dogs.
The group claimed Kim, who is neither a president nor a lawmaker, should maintain neutrality as the role of the first lady is supporting the president.
"Siding with animal rights groups, which are interest groups, and calling for banning dog meat consumption is obvious political activity that exceeds her authority," the group said in its statement, Thursday.
.jpg)
August 30, 2023
First lady reaffirms efforts to ban dog meat consumption
First lady Kim Keon Hee vowed to continue to make efforts and conduct a campaign to end the country's contentious culture of eating dog meat, during a surprise appearance at a news conference hosted by civic groups, Wednesday.
"I will become friends with these people (members of the civic groups), and campaign and make efforts to bring an end to dog meat consumption. I promise," Kim said during the press conference that was held to call on the National Assembly to legislate a law banning dog meat consumption.
April 13, 2023
Kim Geon-hee: “It is my duty to promote the end of dog meat consumption within the term of office.”
News 1 reported on the 13th that First Lady Kim Kun-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, met with animal protection group officials and expressed her position on banning dog eating.
According to reports, Mrs. Kim recently invited animal protection group officials to the Blue House Sangchunjae and said, “We will work to end the consumption of dogs within the term of the government.” “I think that’s my duty,” she said. It is known that officials from animal rights groups such as Animal Freedom Solidarity and Kara were in attendance at the time.
May 19, 2023
260 animal groups "support Kim Geon-hee's end to dog meat consumption"... Dog Association cancels dog mobilization rally
258 animal groups across the country welcomed President Yoon Seok-yeol's wife Kim Geon-hee's statement to "end dog meat consumption" and urged President Yoon to quickly implement his pledge to "ban dog meat consumption.
In addition, he pointed out that the amendment to Article 98 of the Civil Act, which newly added the content that 'animals are not objects', has been pending for one year and six months and requested the National Assembly to pass it quickly.
April 13, 2023
First lady Kim Kun-hee, who once again brought up the ban on eating dogs, said, “It will end within the end of my term.”
President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady Kim Kun-hee reaffirmed their commitment to ban dog eating.
She said that Mrs. Kim recently invited animal protection group officials to a private luncheon at the Blue House Sangchunjae and said, “We will work to end the consumption of dogs within the term of the government.” “I think that is my duty,” he promised, News 1 reported on the 12th. It is reported that officials from animal rights organizations such as Animal Freedom Solidarity and KARA attended the event.