As single-person households and pet ownership increase, the population of pet owners in South Korea has reached 15 million. Reflecting this trend, both ruling and opposition party presidential candidates have placed animal protection laws at the forefront of their campaign agendas, which is widely seen as a natural progression.
Public sentiment has also shifted, with 78% of South Koreans reportedly opposing dog meat consumption. However, resistance to this trend persists, particularly from groups representing the dog meat industry.
Dog Meat Industry’s Protest
On November 3, The Korea Dog Meat Association and The National Dog and Cat Association visited the campaign offices of Democratic Party candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yon. They criticized the "unfairness" of the animal welfare policies proposed by the candidates and demanded a withdrawal of Lee Jae-myung’s pledge to ban dog meat consumption.
The associations claimed:
- "The dog meat ban would criminalize 10 million people who consume dog meat."
- "Dog meat, a traditional health food enjoyed since the Paleolithic era, is still widely consumed today, with 70,000 tons eaten annually."
- "This is not a shameful practice but part of our historical and cultural heritage."
Criticism of Social Issues and ‘Dog Politics’
The associations attributed South Korea's low birth and marriage rates to the increasing focus on pets, particularly dogs.
They argued, "Dog barking noise, stray dogs, and dog bite incidents have become more frequent, causing conflicts among local residents." They also highlighted, "The growing tendency to treat pets as children while neglecting marriage and childbirth reflects a serious societal issue."
In a direct critique of presidential candidates, they said, "It is disgraceful that leaders aspiring to govern this nation are using dogs for campaign promotion, holding them in their arms for photos and videos to win votes."
European Cases and Hygiene Management
The associations pointed to Europe, where stray dog populations have caused significant social issues in certain regions, as an example of potential consequences.
They stressed the need for proper hygiene management of dog meat:
- "Ensuring sanitary controls for the consumption of dog meat aligns with the responsibility and mindset expected of a presidential candidate who claims to serve the people."
The protest by dog meat industry groups highlights the deep-rooted and complex nature of the debate surrounding animal protection policies and the future of traditional practices in South Korea.
