Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

The Republic of Korea’s parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to end the consumption of dog meat, a move that would outlaw the controversial centuries-old practice amid growing support for the welfare of animals.

South Korean national assembly voted overwhelmingly to ban the breeding, butchery, distribution and sale of dogs for their meat on Tuesday, after years of pressure at home and abroad.

The bill was passed by an overwhelming 208 votes with two abstentions in the single-chamber parliament after its bipartisan agriculture committee approved it on Monday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has supported the grown demand of ban on dong’s consumption, who himself is an animal lover adopted six dogs and eight cats with first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Eating dog meat – which is often served as part of a stew to make it more tender was once seen as a way to improve stamina in the Korean hot summer. But as the time passes criticism of slaughtering dogs for meat has grown, as most of the Koreans consider dogs as family pets.

Activists emphasized that the dogs mostly are electrocuted or hanged when slaughtered for meat, though breeders and traders argue there has been progress in making the slaughtering.

Seoul-based thinktank Animal Welfare Awareness, Research and Education released a survey this week which shows that more than 94% of respondents had not eaten dog meat in the past year, while 93% said they would not eat it in the future.

The legislation will be enforced in 2027 after a three-year grace period. The violators will be punished with the prison of up to three years or a maximum fine of 30m won ($22,800). 

Borami Seo of Humane Society International Korea, an animal protection group said, “The bill would see an end to the breeding and killing of dogs for human consumption. We have reached a pivotal point to spare millions of dogs from this cruel Industry.”

Despite the sharp decline in consumption, about 1,150 farms continue to breed dogs for meat, while 1,600 restaurants sell dog meat dishes in South Korea, according to the agriculture ministry.

The Korean Association of Edible Dogs, a coalition of breeders and sellers, said the ban will affect 3,500 farms raising 1.5 million dogs as well as 3,000 restaurants.

“This is a historical victory”, said JungAh Chae, the executive director of Humane Society International/Korea.

“I never thought I would see in my lifetime a ban on the cruel dog meat industry in South Korea, but this historic win for animals is testament to the passion and determination of our animal protection movement.”

“We reached a tipping point where most Korean citizens reject eating dogs and want to see this suffering consigned to the history books, and today our policymakers have acted decisively to make that a reality” he said.

In addition, “my heart breaks for all the millions of dogs for whom this change has come too late, I am over joyed that South Korea can now close this miserable chapter in our history and embrace a dog-friendly future.”