"Advanced Country That Kills Dogs, Republic of Korea"...Dog Slaughter Scenes Displayed in Downtown Seoul

Group "Action to Urge the Government's Concrete Movement"

A large banner urging the ban on dog meat consumption hung on a building at Donggyo-dong Samgeori, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 5th / Photo by Dongmul Haebang Mulgyeol

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] A large banner calling for a ban on dog meat consumption was hung on a large building located at the Donggyo-dong Samgeori intersection in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The large banner, measuring 30 meters in width and height, displayed a message saying "A developed country that kills dogs, Republic of Korea" along with scenes of dog slaughter.

On the 5th, the animal rights group Animal Liberation Wave climbed the building and unfolded the banner, performing a demonstration urging the "end of dog meat consumption." The brutal photos on the banner were captured during an investigation conducted by the group last July at an illegal dog slaughterhouse in Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Previously, President Moon Jae-in mentioned on the 27th of last month during a regular meeting with Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, "Isn't it time to carefully consider banning dog meat consumption?" Regarding this, Animal Liberation Wave explained that this performance was "an action to strongly urge the government to take practical steps."

Under current law, dogs are included as livestock eligible for consumption under the Livestock Act, allowing their breeding and slaughter. Currently, three related bills are pending in the National Assembly. These include an amendment to the Livestock Act to exclude dogs from livestock to prevent slaughter, and an amendment to the Animal Protection Act prohibiting the slaughter of dogs and cats for food purposes.

The group stated, "The relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety keep repeating that 'social consensus has not yet been reached.'" They added, "If this discord continues, the suffering of dogs will increase indefinitely. The government must actively prepare a concrete roadmap as soon as possible."

Jang Hee-ji, a campaigner from Animal Liberation Wave, appealed, "There is no longer a place for 'dog meat consumption' in the Republic of Korea, which has established itself as a developed country." She urged, "Now that even the president has mentioned banning dog meat consumption and begun to present a clear direction, the government must translate this into concrete action to save dogs from long-term abuse and exploitation."