South Korean assembly bans dog meat trade, consumption

Dog meat consumption in South Korea will be prohibited by law starting in 2027.

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea's national assembly unanimously passed a bill to ban eating and selling of dog meat on Tuesday.

Slaughtering, breeding, trading and selling of dog meat for human consumption will be prohibited starting in 2027. Violators of the new law will face penalties of two to three years of imprisonment or a fine up to 30 million Korean Won, or about $2,300.

The special act on banning the consumption and trading of dog meat bans opening of a new a farm, slaughter house or a restaurant that handles dog meat.

Farms that used to raise dogs for meat are obliged to report to local government about their operating status within three months after the legislation passing and hand in a plan for facility closure within six months.

"Korea is rapidly changing into a society that cares about animal welfare. I believe it is time for the government to act to resolve the problem of dog consumption," Minister of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung said after the legislation passed.