South Korea’s parliament unanimously approved a bill that prohibits the breeding, slaughtering, and selling of dogs for meat—a practice long criticized by activists and considered a cultural embarrassment in a landmark move on Tuesday. 

The traditional consumption of dog meat in South Korean cuisine has seen a significant decline in recent years, as a growing number of younger, urban citizens embrace pet ownership.

According to AFP, President Yoon Suk Yeol, known for his affection for animals and having adopted several stray dogs and cats alongside First Lady Kim Keon-hee, a vocal critic of dog meat consumption, has thrown official support behind the ban. The bill, jointly proposed by both ruling and opposition parties, passed with a unanimous 208-0 vote in parliament.

The legislation, slated to become effective after a three-year grace period upon receiving final approval from President Yoon, imposes penalties of up to three years in prison or fines of 30 million won ($23,000) for those involved in breeding, selling, or slaughtering dogs for their meat.

Thae Yong-ho, a lawmaker from the ruling People Power Party who played a pivotal role in proposing the bill, emphasized the significance of eliminating the country’s association with being a “dog-eating country.” 

In a statement, he urged the government and political parties to take a proactive role in championing animal rights, stating, “Now there is no longer any justification for being criticized as a ‘dog-eating country.’ The ruling and opposition parties and the government must now take the lead in protecting… animal rights.”

JungAh Chae, executive director of Humane Society International/Korea, expressed mixed emotions, saying, “While my heart breaks for all the millions of dogs for whom this change has come too late, I am overjoyed that South Korea can now close this miserable chapter in our history and embrace a dog-friendly future.”

A survey conducted by Seoul-based think tank Animal Welfare Awareness, Research, and Education revealed that nine out of ten South Koreans would not consider eating dog meat in the future, underscoring the shifting societal attitudes towards this practice.

Animal Liberation Wave, an activist group, hailed the parliamentary decision as groundbreaking on a global scale, anticipating that it could set a precedent for protecting the rights of other animals subjected to industrial exploitation. 

The group stated, “The journey towards a ‘dog meat-free Republic of Korea’ can be a starting point for not only liberating dogs but also presenting different standards and a future for other species of animals.”

Despite previous opposition from dog farmers, the new law includes provisions for compensation to assist businesses in transitioning away from the dog meat trade. Government figures estimate that approximately 1,100 dog farms breed hundreds of thousands of dogs each year for consumption in restaurants across the country.

Traditionally consumed as a summertime delicacy, with the belief that the greasy red meat boiled for tenderness increases energy to cope with the heat, eating dog meat has faced heightened scrutiny. 

While South Korea’s existing animal protection law primarily focuses on preventing the cruel slaughter of dogs and cats, the new legislation explicitly addresses the ban on breeding, selling, and slaughtering dogs for their meat. 

Authorities have previously utilized existing laws and hygiene regulations to crackdown on dog farms and restaurants, particularly in the lead-up to international events, such as the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.