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South Korea passed a bill to end the consumption of dog meat. “Special Bill to end the breeding, slaughter, and distribution of dogs for consumption and dog meat consumption” was passed by South Korea’s National Assembly on January 9, 2024, and mandates a 3-year grace period for all operations to cease. Click HERE to learn more about the Special Bill.

The voting results were:
208 – Favor
0 – Oppose
2 – Abstention

This is a victory that we have campaigned so hard for over 12 years. Big thank you goes out to everyone who has supported our campaign to speak out against dog meat cruelty in South Korea and taken action to give a voice to Korean dogs! We would also like to thank every one of the activists in South Korea for their courage, compassion, perseverance, and dedication to ending the dog meat trade.

Cats are not included in the bill that has passed. We will continue campaigning until cat meat consumption is also banned and no more dogs are raised and killed as food in South Korea.

The National Assembly of South Korea processed 101 bills at the 4th plenary session of the 411th National Assembly (extraordinary session) on Tuesday, January 9.

Below is from the National Assembly report:

Resolution of the enactment of the “Special Bill (Alternative Bill) to end the breeding, slaughter, and distribution of dogs for consumption and dog meat consumption.”

The enactment of the “Special Bill (Alternative Bill) to end the breeding, slaughter, and distribution of dogs for consumption and dog meat consumption” specifies the steps necessary to end the consumption of dogs and provides support for existing dog meat industry workers for the closure of facilities and changing of jobs.

It is prohibited to breed, multiply, and slaughter dogs for consumption and to distribute and sell food cooked and processed using dogs. Slaughtering dogs for consumption is punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won, and the breeding, production, distribution, and sale is punishable by up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, the prohibition and penalty provisions will take effect three years after the enactment of the “Special Bill” to minimize social disruption.

From the date of promulgation, the establishment and operation of new facilities intending to engage in prohibited activities such as dog breeding farms, slaughter, and distribution will be prohibited.

Existing dog breeding farm owners, dog meat slaughterers and distributors, and dog meat service providers must report the address and size of their facilities, etc., to the mayor/county/district head within 3 months from the date of promulgation, and matters related to business closure or change of business within 6 months from the date of promulgation. A ‘Dog Meat Ending Implementation Plan’ containing this must be submitted and implemented. The national or local governments must provide the necessary support for business closure or job change to those who submit reports and implementation plans.

Presentation of the proposed bill by the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee Member, Mr. An Byung-gil begins at 1:07:40. Vote for “Special Bill (Alternative Bill) to end the breeding, slaughter, and distribution of dogs for consumption and dog meat consumption” (Agenda #44) begins at 1:10:44.