SEOUL – South Korea’s law to ban the breeding or slaughter of dogs in dog farms, and the distribution of dog meat, came into effect on Aug 7 as the country works to compensate more than 5,600 shops in the domestic dog farm industry.

       With the implementation of the law, the government will map out support packages for those involved in the dog meat industry, including dog farms and dog meat restaurants.

       According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, a total of 5,625 businesses will be affected by the law and are thereby eligible for state support.

       The ministry will offer compensation that amounts to the salvage value of properties related to dog farms or slaughterhouses, according to the law’s enforcement decree implemented on Aug 7.

       Dog farmers will also be reimbursed for demolition costs and receive extra monetary compensation – whose amount will later be determined by the government by as early as late August.

       For dog meat distributors or restaurant owners, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will make up for the cost of a shutdown if it is approved by the government.

       Those in the dog farming industry looking to make a transition in their business may seek state funding to renovate their business facilities, as well as state-sponsored services such as consulting and training.

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       Seoul will create a new committee dedicated to ending dog meat consumption, according to the law. Chaired by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Park Beom-su, the committee will comprise up to 25 members, representing the government, dog farmers, animal rights advocates and experts.

       The moves will facilitate the process of either transitioning or closing dog farmers’ businesses, during the 2？-year grace period under the law to do so.

       Once the law becomes fully implemented in February 2027, violators of the rule who butcher a dog for meat will face up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of 30 million won (S$29,000), while those who raise dogs for meat or sell dog meat can be punished with up to two years’ jail or a 20 million won fine.

       The dog meat ban was partially in effect in February, as the law immediately banned the new establishment of dog farms in South Korea, imposing a penalty of up to three million won on violators.

       Dog farmers’ dissatisfaction has yet to die down. In March, the Korean Association of Edible Dogs, representing farmers of some 1.5 million dogs, filed a constitutional complaint against the government, claiming the move breaches the freedom to choose an occupation and the freedom of food choices.

       The group in July also requested that the Board of Audit and Inspection look into alleged abuse of power to imperil dog farmers’ livelihoods.

       Dog meat consumption on the Korean peninsula has been a centuries-old practice, as some believe dog meat helps humans restore stamina.

       First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who houses eight dogs and five cats in her residence, has consistently expressed her commitment to ending the dog-eating practice in the country since President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May 2022. A Bill to outlaw dog meat consumption passed the National Assembly with bipartisan support in January.

       In the meantime, black goat meat is experiencing a price hike in South Korea, as it is perceived as an alternative for dog eaters. In the latest estimate by the Korea Black Goat Association, the wholesale price of black goat meat went up to 20,000 won per kg as at June, a rise of more than 50 per cent from three years ago. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK