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NDTV
25-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
How South Korea's Dog Meat Ban Leaves Farmers And 500,000 Dogs In Limbo
Reverend Joo Yeong-bong raises dogs, for a business that's now become illegal. "Since last summer we've been trying to sell our dogs, but the traders just keep hesitating," says Joo, 60, to BBC. "Not a single one has shown up." South Korea's 2024 dog meat ban gives farmers until February 2027 to shut down. But halfway through the grace period, farmers like Joo are trapped, unable to sell, struggling to survive. "People are suffering," he says. "We're drowning in debt, can't pay it off, and some can't even... find new work. It's a hopeless situation." Chan-woo, 33, faces the same reality. He has 18 months to get rid of 600 dogs, or face two years in prison. "Realistically, even just on my farm, I can't process the number of dogs I have in that time," he says. "At this point I've invested all of my assets [into the farm], and yet they are not even taking the dogs." By "they," he means not only traders but also the government and animal rights activists who pushed for the ban. "They [the authorities] passed the law without any real plan, and now they're saying they can't even take the dogs." Lee Sangkyung from Humane World for Animals Korea (Hwak) agrees there's a problem. "Although the dog meat ban has passed, both the government and civic groups are still grappling with how to rescue the remaining dogs," he says. "One area that still feels lacking is the discussion around the dogs that have been left behind." The government claims local authorities will take surrendered dogs into shelters. But rehoming is proving difficult. Farms raised large breeds like Tosa-Inu for meat, dogs often labeled "dangerous" under South Korean law. Most city dwellers want smaller pets. "There's a social stigma associated with dogs that come from meat farms," says Lee, citing fears over disease and trauma. The result: overcrowded shelters and a grim alternative. "If remaining dogs become 'lost and abandoned animals' then it's heartbreaking but they will be euthanised," said Cho Hee-kyung, head of the Korean Animal Welfare Association, in 2024. The government insists euthanasia "certainly" isn't part of the plan. They've offered up to 600,000 won ($450) per dog for early closures and are expanding shelters. But Hwak argues the rescue plans are vague and underfunded. Some dogs are flown abroad for adoption, but it barely scratches the surface. Former farmer Yang Jong-tae, 74, who shut down in 2023, says, "When I saw how they handled the animals, like they were handling people, so gently and lovingly, it really moved me. We don't treat them like that. For us, raising dogs was just a way to make a living." But Yang still questions the ban. "If dog meat is banned because dogs are animals, then why is it okay to eat other animals like cows, pigs or chicken?" For younger farmers like Chan-woo, the future feels bleak. "All we're hoping for now is that the grace period can be extended so that the process can happen more gradually." Joo agrees. "Right now, people are still holding on, hoping something might change... But by 2027, I truly believe something terrible will happen."
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
By 2027, dog meat trade will be history in South Korea. Half a million dogs face abandonment
As South Korea outlaws a centuries old tradition, questions arise about the fate of thousands of dogs and the people who raised them. Last January, South Korea made history by unanimously passing a law that bans the dog meat industry in its entirety. By 2027, breeding, slaughtering, distributing, and serving dog meat will be illegal nationwide, where dogs will be increasingly seen not as food, but as companions. The legislation, hailed by global animal rights supports a shift in public sentiment. Once seen as a source of vitality or tradition, dog meat is increasingly viewed with discomfort or disapproval, particularly among younger generations. According to a 2023 Gallup Korea poll, only 8 per cent of South Koreans reported consuming dog meat, down sharply from 27 per cent in 2015. According to South Korea's Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as of 2022, data showed over 520,000 dogs living on more than 1,100 farms across the country. While some dogs may be rehomed, rescue groups are overwhelmed, and many fear that thousands of animals could face abandonment. The law may signal compassion but its implementation poses a logistical and ethical puzzle. For the thousands of farmers, vendors, and restaurant owners once dependent on the dog meat trade, the ban has triggered uncertainty and anger. 'Everything is up in the air,' says Chan-woo to BBC, a farmer who entered the trade ten years ago. 'The government says it will help us, but we don't know how or when. People are desperate,' he stated. Many older farmers fear slipping into poverty, while younger ones worry about their future. Some have suggested the trade could go underground. Others say they feel betrayed by a society that once supported their work. Recently, Mafra told the BBC that it is allocating around 6 billion Korean won per year to expand public animal shelters and support private ones. Additionally, it will provide up to 600,000 Korean won per dog to farmers who agree to close their businesses early. While most South Koreans support the ban, resistance hasn't disappeared. Some dog meat sellers have threatened drastic protests, accusing the government of being influenced to Western influence and violating personal freedoms. 'There's hypocrisy in banning dog meat while other animals are slaughtered daily,' says one protester to BBC. 'Why are dogs different?' But others, like activist Ms Chun, argue that dogs have a unique space in modern Korean homes as pets, not products. She also points out that, unlike pork or beef, dog meat in South Korea has long managed outside the official food safety system, raising concerns about hygiene and regulation. While the practice of eating dog meat remains legal in several other countries, including China, Ghana, it has become increasingly taboo in South Korea. A government poll from 2024 found that only 3.3% of respondents said they would continue to eat dog meat after the 2027 ban takes effect. 'With time, people's views on dogs have evolved, They are no longer seen as food, but as family,' Chun says.
Mint
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
South Korea bans dog meat industry, but questions linger over fate of half a million dogs: Report
South Korea's landmark decision to ban the dog meat industry is being hailed as a major win for animal rights and a reflection of evolving societal values. The sweeping legislation, passed unanimously in January 2024, will make breeding, slaughtering, selling, and serving dogs for meat illegal nationwide by 2027. However, the ban has also raised a difficult question: what happens to the estimated hundreds of thousands of dogs currently being raised for consumption? According to a BBC report, while the move marks the beginning of the end for a centuries-old practice, it has left both dog meat farmers and animal welfare groups facing uncertainty. As per data from South Korea's Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, more than 520,000 dogs were being raised on 1,156 farms as of 2022. Nearly 388,000 dogs were consumed annually across 1,666 restaurants. While public attitudes towards dog meat have shifted dramatically in recent years, with a 2023 Gallup poll showing only 8% of South Koreans consumed dog meat in the past year (down from 27% in 2015), the logistical and ethical challenges of phasing out the industry remain complex. Animal rights groups have welcomed the move. JungAh Chae of Humane Society International Korea described the law as 'history in the making.' Yet, rescue organisations are now racing against time to rehome dogs that would otherwise face abandonment or euthanasia. Dog meat farmers, meanwhile, are voicing deep concern. Some, like Mr. Chan-woo—who joined the trade a decade ago—say the industry is now in 'complete limbo,' as they await clarity on government compensation or transition support. Others, including Mr. Joo, fear that without concrete assistance, the pressure could lead to desperate outcomes. The legislation has also sparked resistance from those who see the move as government overreach into personal dietary choices. While younger generations increasingly view dogs as family members, others argue that the law undermines cultural tradition. The South Korean government has promised support for farmers and businesses affected by the ban, but details remain limited. As the 2027 deadline draws closer, activists say the real test lies not just in enforcement, but in ensuring that the dogs caught in the middle are not forgotten.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
South Korea's dog meat ban: The fate of half a million dogs
South Korea's sweeping new law banning the dog meat industry , passed unanimously in January 2024, is being hailed as a landmark for animal welfare and a profound cultural shift. By 2027, breeding , slaughtering, selling, and serving dogs for meat will be illegal nationwide, a move that signals the end of a centuries-old tradition and answers years of pressure from both domestic advocates and the international community. Yet, this historic step forward carries a quieter, more troubling consequence: the fate of the hundreds of thousands of dogs currently held on farms across the country. As the industry shutters, these animals, once destined for the table, now face an uncertain future. Many risk being abandoned or euthanized, their lives left in limbo as farmers struggle to adapt and rescue groups scramble to respond. The law's promise of a kinder era for animals is shadowed by the urgent question: what happens to the dogs who have nowhere to go? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chi phí cấy ghép răng là bao nhiêu vào năm 2025 (kiểm tra giá) Cấy ghép răng | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The numbers behind the ban According to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as of February 2022, there were 521,121 dogs being raised in 1,156 dog meat farms , and about 388,000 dogs consumed annually in 1,666 restaurants. Yet, societal attitudes have shifted: a 2023 Gallup poll found only 8% of South Koreans had eaten dog meat in the past year, down from 27% in 2015, and fewer than 20% supported its consumption. In a separate survey, 85.5% said they do not currently eat dog meat, and 55.8% believe society should stop the practice. Uncertain futures for farmers and dogs The ban's passage has left many in the industry facing deep uncertainty. Chan-woo, who entered the trade a decade ago, describes the atmosphere as 'incredibly uncertain,' with livelihoods upended and hopes pinned on the government extending the grace period to allow for gradual adjustment. Advocates worry about the fate of the estimated half a million dogs still on farms, many at risk of euthanasia if not rehomed. Live Events The government has pledged support for affected farmers, but details remain unclear. Some, like Mr. Joo, fear that as 2027 approaches, desperation may lead to tragic outcomes for both people and animals. While the legislation is celebrated by animal rights activists, JungAh Chae of Humane Society International Korea called it 'history in the making', it has also sparked resistance among dog farmers, some of whom have threatened drastic protests. The debate touches on deep cultural and ethical questions, with many younger Koreans viewing dogs as family, while others argue against state interference in dietary choices.
