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On September 12, 2016, the UK Parliament held a debate on the South Korean dog-meat trade. The UK citizens had ‘spoken loudly’ by securing this historic debate through a Government Petition, which gained over 100k signatures, and through making their feelings known to their MPs. Many of those MPs, from various cities and political parties, and from various countries within the UK, personally presented their own and their constituents’ views.

Many speakers pointed out the need for taking a ‘sensitive’ approach when dealing with this issue with Korea, as any perceived hypocrisy or insensitivity (not acknowledging the current political worries) could be counter-productive.

It was also recognized that, to bring an end to this cruel practice, change should come from within, and that it cannot be brought about through ‘preaching’, but rather through encouragement, cooperation, education and best practice exchange, etc.

The consensus, therefore, was that such action must be taken and support given to Korea, in particular to those people in their country (politicians as well as animal welfare etc. groups), who are already trying to bring about change.

I am sure that South Korea wishes to be seen as a country that has many great and interesting cultural practices, and not merely one that is widely known for its heartless killing and eating of animals that are universally considered to be friends, and even family members.

This is a very encouraging outcome, and I am grateful to the UK citizens who have spoken out and also to their Government for listening to the concerns of their people. I have a great sense of respect for the UK as a nation, and I hope to see the same kind of empathy from the US, and other nations around the world, and that they will also stand against that which is unjust and immoral.

We look forward to updates given by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office about their follow-up action and results achieved.

Thank you!

Click HERE to watch the debate from Parliament TV.
Click HERE to learn more.

It was reported on August 16, 2016, by KBS News and Kukje News, and again on August 17 by TV Chosun News, that the butcher of a dog slaughterhouse in Ulsan, Namgu District Sanggae-dong that has been brutally slaughtering and selling dogs has been caught.

On August 12, ahead of ‘Malbok,’ the 3rd of 3 ‘Boknal’ Korean dog days of summer, Ulsan City officials and Busan KAPCA (Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) conducted a joint inspection of this dog slaughterhouse and caught the butcher AOO with dogs bludgeoned with a hammer and knife stuck in their throats to bleed them to death in full and unobstructed view of other live dogs.

At the time of the visit, Busan KAPCA reported that two dogs were lying on the ground bleeding profusely. One of the dogs was still alive and torturously gasping for breath.

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Animal Protection Law, the act of killing an animal in front of other animals of the same species is subject to up to 1 year of imprisonment or a monetary fine of up to 10,000,000 Korean won. Accordingly, Busan KAPCA reported AOO to the police for the blatant violation of the Animal Protection Law.

Until last year, businesses that slaughter and market a variety of livestock animals, including dogs, were prevalent in the old Sanggae-dong livestock market area. When the livestock market was closed down the number of slaughterhouses was significantly reduced. However, 6 dog slaughterhouses remain in operation, inflicting unbearable pain and suffering on these animals and selling their meat.

An Ulsan city representative stated that several years ago, local government over this jurisdiction conducted a broadscale maintenance, thereby eliminating the illegal dog slaughterhouse buildings. However, because the actual act of slaughtering dogs for the purpose of human consumption is not illegal, there are still people selling dog meat.
Click HERE to learn more.
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Video: KBS News Ulsan, 8/16/16.