South Korean President Says Time To Consider Dog Meat Ban

(Reuters) – South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday that it may be necessary to ban the consumption of dog meat amidst the debate over this controversial practice and the growing awareness of animal rights.

Although not as common as it used to be, dog meat is mostly consumed by older people in South Korea, served in some restaurants, and can be purchased in specific markets.

Moon made the remarks after being briefed by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on efforts to improve the management of abandoned animals and a mandatory registration system for dogs.

“Following the briefing, he said that the time has come to carefully consider imposing a ban on dog meat,” Moon’s spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee said in a statement.

New impetus to the debate in South Korea

It is the first time that Moon has raised the ban, which is likely to give new impetus to the debate over whether to restrict this practice.

To increase their popularity, several presidential hopefuls have pledged to ban the consumption of dog meat in recent weeks, especially as dogs have become popular as pets and advocacy groups have urged South Korea to close the shops. restaurants and markets that sell dog meat.

Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi province, the country’s most populous, and one of the top contenders for the presidency for Moon’s party, has pledged to push for the ban through social consensus.

However, Yoon Seok-youl, the opposition candidate, has said that it is a matter of personal choice.

What the surveys say about this practice

A poll commissioned by animal advocacy group Aware, released this month, says 78% of respondents believe the production and sale of cat and dog meat should be banned, and 49% support a ban on consumption.

Yet another poll by polling company Realmeter revealed that people were divided on whether the government should ban the consumption of dog meat, even though 59% supported legal restrictions on the slaughter of dogs for human consumption.

Dog meat vendors have insisted on the right to do their job, claiming that their livelihood is in jeopardy.