South Korea is reconsidering its longstanding tradition of consuming dog meat as global disgust over the practice grows. The country has never legally regulated this custom, making dog farming for meat a formal industry with established political and economic power. However, a lack of demand among the younger generation, coupled with increasing global criticism, is forcing the nation to reconsider.
The Associated Press reported that one dog meat farmer, Kim Jong-kil, sees animal rights campaigns against the practice as a direct threat to his family’s livelihood. He expressed strong opposition to any moves to ban dog meat consumption, vowing to mobilize against it.
Unlike other livestock, dogs are not regulated in the same way in South Korea. As a result, law enforcement authorities have limited resources to discourage dog farming for food. Furthermore, dog meat farmers do not have any explicit legal statutes protecting their trade. While eating dog meat has been a long-established practice in Korea for centuries, it is becoming a liability in the country’s efforts to elevate its global profile in the field of entertainment and culture.
South Korea has gained significant cultural and economic prestige in recent years, producing successful entertainment content such as the globally popular boy band BTS and the award-winning film Parasite. The country’s television series, like Squid Game, have also garnered immense popularity. With actors and writers in Hollywood on strike, Seoul has the potential to attract producers and streamers looking to fill the void. However, the international shock and negative sentiment towards South Korea’s dog meat consumption seriously jeopardize these achievements.
Left-wing South Korean lawmaker Han Jeoungae introduced a bill last month to ban the dog meat industry, highlighting how the ancient tradition undermines the country’s global reputation. Han emphasized that foreigners perceive South Korea as a cultural powerhouse, but the practice of consuming dog meat creates significant disapproval.
The diplomatic implications of South Korea’s dog meat consumption are evident. For instance, a student exchange program between Incheon and Palisades Park, New Jersey, was cancelled due to pressure from animal rights groups. Palisades Park officials explicitly cited negative public opinion regarding dog meat consumption in their decision.
First Lady Kim Keon-hee, representing the ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP), has also been actively campaigning against dog eating. Kim recognized the discomfort felt by the international community as a reason to outlaw the practice. However, her statement was met with opposition from dog meat farmers, who argued that she lacks political power to enforce such a ban.
The PPP and the Democratic Party have both introduced bills to ban dog meat consumption. The Democratic Party’s Han Jeoungae has taken up the task following the suspension of North Korean defector turned lawmaker Tae Yong-ho. Both bills aim to offer financial incentives for farmers to transition away from the dog meat industry. This addresses concerns raised by farmers regarding their livelihoods if the government suddenly bans their trade.
Despite these legislative efforts, young South Koreans have already shown decreased interest in eating dog meat, leading to a significant decline in the practice over the years. The number of dog farms in the country has dropped by half, and the annual dog slaughter has decreased to 700,000 to 1 million dogs. However, the dog meat industry still faces economic threats unrelated to the law.
In conclusion, South Korea’s longstanding tradition of consuming dog meat is under scrutiny both domestically and internationally. The country’s push to become a global entertainment and cultural powerhouse conflicts with the practice, generating negative sentiment and potentially harming its diplomatic relations. While legislative efforts are underway to ban dog meat consumption, societal changes, such as decreased demand among the youth, have had a significant impact on the industry. The outcome of this debate will determine whether South Korea embraces a new era without dog meat consumption, aligning with global sentiments and safeguarding its international standing.
