South Korea recently revealed its plans to offer compensation to farmers and individuals involved in the country’s declining dog meat industry ahead of the formal ban set to take effect in 2027. The decision is met with resistance from those within the industry and animal rights activists.
Since the parliament of South Korea passed a significant bill in January to prohibit the slaughtering, breeding, and selling of dog meat for human consumption with a three-year grace period, those who choose to shut down their businesses early will receive compensation from the Agriculture Ministry. Farmers are expected to receive a starting amount of 225,000 won ($170) per dog, with a potential increase up to 600,000 won ($450) per dog.
However, many farmers are unsatisfied with this compensation plan as they had initially requested 2 million won ($1,505) per dog. They believe that the ban infringes on their freedom and worsens their economic hardships. Seeking an amendment to the law, an association of dog farmers is advocating for an extension of the grace period and more suitable compensation arrangements.
While the announcement was acknowledged as a significant step towards ending the dog meat era by Sangkyung Lee, a campaign manager at the Korean branch of the anti-animal cruelty organization Humane Society International, he expressed disappointment in the fact that compensation is based on the number of dogs owned, potentially encouraging increased breeding for financial gain at the expense of animal welfare.
Dog meat consumption is a longstanding tradition on the Korean Peninsula and is also practiced in other countries such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and some African nations. However, South Korea’s dog meat industry has garnered particular attention due to the country’s status as a cultural and economic powerhouse, with the distinction of having large-scale commercial dog farms.
The anti-dog meat campaign in South Korea gained momentum with the support of the first lady, Kim Keon Hee, who vocally backed the prohibition. Despite facing backlash and derogatory remarks from farmers during demonstrations, the majority of South Koreans, although one in three may oppose the ban, no longer consume dog meat and favor its prohibition.
Vice Agriculture Minister Park Beomsu revealed that government studies indicate approximately 466,000 dogs are currently raised for consumption in South Korea. The government intends to encourage farmers to voluntarily cease dog breeding before the ban takes effect. Post-ban, officials plan to arrange adoptions for the remaining dogs or relocate them to care facilities instead of resorting to euthanasia.
To support the transition away from the dog meat industry, the agriculture ministry will compensate butchers, oversee the dismantling of dog farms and slaughterhouses by local authorities, and offer low-interest loans to former farmers and butchers shifting to other agricultural ventures. Financial assistance will also be extended to traders and restaurant owners to close their businesses and explore new employment opportunities.
