Lee Jae-myung "Dog Meat Consumption May Be a Form of Social Violence"
Choo Mi-ae "Government Institutional Support Can Eliminate Dog Meat Culture"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As President Moon Jae-in expressed his intention to consider banning dog meat consumption, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential pre-candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae also expressed their support.
On the 27th, Lee posted on his Facebook titled "Greatly welcome President Moon Jae-in's 'Order to Consider Ban on Dog Meat Consumption'," stating, "It is a natural measure and I greatly welcome it."
Lee said, "Companion animals are living beings that share emotional bonds with humans," adding, "For people who live considering companion animals as family, dog meat consumption can be a form of social violence."
He continued, "Despite South Korea's international status as a fully-fledged advanced country, the issue of dog meat consumption remains a social controversy," emphasizing, "This is a social challenge we must solve."
Lee also explained, "I do not simply dismiss dog meat consumption as a barbaric culture," stating, "It starts from the necessity of animal welfare to improve cruel abuse and slaughter of companion animals, unsanitary breeding, and unsafe distribution structures."
Former Minister Chu also responded positively to President Moon's stance on banning dog meat consumption. On the same day, she posted on her Facebook titled "Dog Meat Consumption, It's Time to Stop," saying, "President Moon Jae-in's remark that 'it is time to carefully consider banning dog meat consumption' is truly welcome and fortunate."
Chu explained, "The issue of 'dog meat consumption' remains a hurdle we must overcome to leap forward as an advanced country," adding, "As of last year, there are over 6.38 million pet-owning households and more than 8.6 million companion animals. Now, as a society living in a nutrient-saturated world economy ranked among the top 10 globally, we need new social courage and social determination."
She further stated, "If the government provides even a little legal and institutional support, the culture of dog meat consumption can completely disappear," adding, "Necessary support such as assistance for existing businesses to transition to other industries should also be prepared."
Meanwhile, Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, said in a briefing on the 27th that after President Moon received a report on improving the companion animal management system during a regular meeting with Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum at the Blue House, he said, "Isn't it time to carefully consider banning dog meat consumption? I ask the relevant departments to review this," she conveyed.
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