South Korea Bans Dog Meat

Considered a delicacy by older Koreans, legislators outlawed the sale and slaughter of dog meat for human consumption. It was once common after the Korean War when the country was destitute and other meat protein scarce. It was used in a well-known soup dish called "bosintang", literally "soup good for your body". Young people consider the consumption of dog to be appaling. 93% of Koreans say they have no intention of consuming dogs in the future in response to a survey by an animal rights group. President Yoon Suk Yeol and his first lady are pet owners and campaigned for the law's passage.

Under the new law passed by the National Assembly, a person convicted of butchering a dog for consumption would face three years in prison or a $23,000 fine. A person breeding dogs for consumption would be punishable by two years incarceration or a $15,000 fine. The law also offers incentives to farmers and restaurant owners to change jobs. Currently about 520,000 dogs are being raised for consumption in 1600 restaurants nationwide. Millions of dogs are killed each year for consumption in Southeast Asia.