Rallying outside the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, around 200 dog breeders and farmers for human consumption demanded that the government abandon a proposal to outlaw the contentious centuries-old industry.
As the police examined the blanket-covered cargo, they blocked dozens of farmers who had attempted to drive their trucks into the street in front of the presidential office with dogs in cages that they planned to unleash at the site.
Dog farmers scuffle with police during a protest against the government's move to ban dog meat consumption, in Seoul on November 30, 2023. Hundreds of South Korean dog meat farmers and traders gathered near the presidential office to protest against the government's move to ban dog meat consumption.
Debate Surrounding Dog Meat Consumption
A measure has been proposed by the governing party of President Yoon Suk Yeol to outlaw the breeding and selling of dogs for human consumption. The bill also provides financial compensation to individuals involved in the industry who are compelled to close their businesses within a three-year grace period.
Party members have said that the people and the opposition party, which controls parliament at the moment, believe that the time has come to resolve the debate surrounding consuming dog meat.
With a population of over 51 million, South Korea is home to almost 6 million families who own gods as their pets. Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, have a total of six dogs, including a rescue and a retired guide dog.
Only 8% of Koreans reported eating dogs in the recent year, down from 27% in 2015, according to a Gallup Korea poll carried out in 2022, Reuters reported. Nearly two-thirds of respondents were against eating dog meat.
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Dog Meat Farmers Protest Against Ban
At Thursday's event, November 30, industry representative Ju Yeong-bong said that politicians should not be allowed to dictate people's food habits or shut down businesses.
"We can't agree with the idea that it is barbaric, because all countries that have the tradition of animal husbandry have at some point eaten dogs and there are still countries where it's done," Ju pointed out.
Given that the farmers would be losing their livelihoods as a result of the law, Ju said that the proposed monetary compensation was grossly insufficient and that the farmers had been entirely excluded from the policymaking process.
In an effort to prevent the farmers from approaching the president's office, the police barricaded the street and clashed with the outnumbered farmers. Authorities apprehended three protestors, one of whom was Ju, during the mayhem, the organizers said.
Some farmers and restaurant owners still offer dog meat despite the fact that its popularity has been on the wane. They are making an effort to maintain it legal.
The farmers claim that First Lady Kim, who has been outspoken in her opposition to dog meat, put undue pressure on the rulers and the government to implement the ban.
