[ad_1]
Seoul, South Korea-South Korea launched a task force on Thursday to consider outlawing dog meat consumption after the country’s president proposed to consider ending centuries-old practices. He said he would raise it.
In South Korea, the number of restaurants offering dog meat is declining as young people find dog meat a less appetizing dietary option and pets are becoming more popular. Recent research shows that more and more people are opposed to banning dogs without eating them.
In the statement, seven government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, consisted of officials, private experts, and people from related organizations to provide recommendations on the possibility of making dog meat consumption illegal. He said he had decided to set up a group. Authorities say they will collect information about facilities such as dog breeding grounds and restaurants while considering public opinion.
“In our country, the number of families with pets is increasing rapidly, and the public’s interest in animal rights and welfare is increasing, so it is now difficult to regard the consumption of dog meat as a mere traditional food culture. “Masu,” said Kim Boo-gum, the second official of the Prime Minister’s country, prior to the release of the statement.
The government states that the first initiative of this kind does not necessarily guarantee a ban on dog meat. When it comes to dog meat consumption, the joint statement said, “People’s perceptions of basic rights (eating preferred foods) and animal rights are intricately intertwined.”
The seemingly vague stance elicited swift protests from both dog breeders and animal rights activists.
Farmers say the launch of the Task Force is only formal to close their farms and dog meat restaurants, and activists lack the determination that government announcements outlaw dog meat consumption. Claims.
Ju Young-Bong, general secretary of the Dog Farmers Association, has accused the government of “trampling” the people’s right to eat what they want and the farmers’ right to live.
Lee Won-bok, chairman of the Korea Animal Conservation Association, said the government’s announcement was “extremely disappointing” because it did not include a concrete plan to ban the consumption of dog meat.
“We have deep doubts about whether the government is determined to stop consuming dog meat,” Lee said.
About 1 to 1.5 million dogs are killed for food each year in South Korea, down from the millions about 10 to 20 years ago. According to Ju’s organization, thousands of farmers now have a total of about 1 to 2 million meat dogs in South Korea.
Ju said farmers, mostly poor older people, want the government to temporarily legalize dog meat consumption for about 20 years, hoping that demand will gradually decline. Lee said animal rights groups want a faster termination of their business.
“Korea is the only developed country where people eat dogs and is an act that undermines our international image,” Lee said. “Even though K-POP band BTS and (Korean drama) squid games are ranked number one in the world, foreigners still connect South Korea with dog meat and the Korean War.”
Lee condemned animal cruelty and other illegal activities when many farmers raised and slaughtered their dogs. Ju said activists are “exaggerating” such information, which applies only to a small number of farms.
According to Lee, dogs are consumed as food in North Korea, China, Vietnam, and South Korea.
In September, dog-loving President Moon Jae-in asked at a meeting with the Prime Minister, “Is it time to carefully consider the ban on dog meat consumption?”
Dog meat is not explicitly prohibited in South Korea, even if it is legal.
Kim Hyun Jin
follow
[ad_2]