In front of the National Assembly building in the center of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, a bustling crowd is filled with a warm atmosphere. January 9 is a day destined to go down in the annals of Korean history. South Korea's parliament voted overwhelmingly 208-0 to pass the controversial bill to ban the breeding, slaughtering and sale of dogs for food. This major decision has not only aroused widespread attention in the field of animal rights protection, but also set off a wave of heated discussions in Korean society.
In the midst of the cheering crowd, volunteers from the Korea Animal Protection Organization (KAPO) hugged each other excitedly, their faces filled with the joy of victory. They have long been pushing for the passage of this bill to curb the dog meat industry's harm to animal welfare. At this moment, their efforts finally paid off.
The bill establishes a three-year grace period, which means that from 2027, the slaughter of dogs for food purposes will be completely banned. Any violation of this provision is punishable by up to 3 years in prison or 30 million won (about 2.).$30,000). This harsh penalty shows South Korea's strong determination to ban dog meat bills.
According to statistics, in 2023, there will be about 1,600 dog restaurants and 1,150 meat dog farms in South Korea, raising about 500,000 meat dogs. These figures are staggering and have sparked widespread moral controversy. Despite the opposition, the National Assembly's decision marks an important step forward in protecting animal rights.
Proponents of animal protection groups generally agree that dogs are loyal companions to humans, with a high degree of emotional intelligence and perception, and should not be treated like food. They emphasized that the ban on dog meat is not only a respect for animal rights, but also a manifestation of the progress of human civilization.
Photographer: Jung Yeon-je
However, this bill is not without controversy. Some conservatives have expressed concern that it is an erosion of traditional Korean food culture by Western values. They emphasized the place of dog meat in Korean culture, believing that it is a traditional Korean delicacy that should be respected.
Still, mainstream public opinion seems to be on the side of animal protection groups. In recent years, with the popularity of social networking and the public's awareness of animal rights, more and more people have joined the ranks of opposing the dog meat industry. They launched campaign hashtags such as stopdogmeattrade on social media to share cases of animal cruelty and illegal trade, which attracted widespread attention and sympathy.
For those who have been concerned about animal welfare for a long time, this day is the result of years of fighting for it. They have witnessed South Korea's transformation from a country that generally accepts a dog meat culture to a society that focuses on animal welfare and respects life. This shift not only reflects the progress of South Korean society, but also sets a positive example for other countries.
For those dogs who have been subjected to cruel treatment, the passage of this bill means a better fate for them. With the implementation of the Dog Meat Prohibition Act, millions of dogs are expected to be freed from slaughter and trafficking.
However, the passage of the Dog Meat Prohibition Act is only one milestone on the long road to animal rights protection. To ensure the effective implementation of this law and the long-term well-being of animals, South Korea** needs to take stronger measures to regulate and enforce the relevant regulations. In addition, educating the public and raising awareness of animal rights is also a crucial task.
The passage of South Korea's ban on dog meat has not only had a far-reaching impact in China, but also brought positive inspiration to the international community. A growing number of countries are likely to consider similar measures to protect animal rights and promote a vision of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.