South Korea is set to ban its centuries-old tradition of consuming dog meat. The ban will take effect in February 2027 as the National Assembly unanimously approved the bill by a vote of 208 to 0 in January. Now, the country will rehome over 500,000 dogs during the grace period. The government will also initiate an incentive plan to help dog meat traders brace themselves.
The consumption of dog meat was long viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. However, the controversial practice will soon become illegal as there has been growing support for animal welfare in the country.
South Korea offers subsidies to farmers ahead of 2027 dog meat ban
Per Reuters, Vice Agriculture Minister Park Beom-su said the government would spend about KRW 100 billion (USD 75 million) on incentives. This would encourage dog farmers, breeders, and restaurants trading in dog meat to shut down their businesses. The process will see farmers receive up to KRW 600,000 (USD 452) for each dog they surrender. Following that, the authorities will attempt to have the canines rehomed in shelters or adopted.
The report further notes the country has more than 1,500 dog breeding farms. There are more than 200 dog slaughterhouses and around 2,300 restaurants that still serve dog meat. As the ban will come into effect after three years, there are concerns surrounding the remaining canines being “euthanized” or “processed for consumption” during this time. However, the vice agriculture minister clarified, “I can certainly say, that is not our plan.”
The plan amid South Korea’s dog meat ban is a huge milestone. However, animal activists have voiced their worries over rehoming half a million dogs. A campaign manager for the Humane Society International told Reuters, “There is no way animal shelters can take in that huge number of dogs.” Moreover, members of the dog meat industry have claimed that government subsidies are insufficient.
