Yoo Seung-min Asks "Is Dog Meat Consumption a Choice?" Yoon Seok-yeol Responds "Aren't Dogs Raised Separately for Consumption?"

Yoon, Calls for Social Consensus "Isn't the Anti-Discrimination Law the Same?"

On the evening of the 31st, the 10th joint debate for the People Power Party presidential primary candidates was held at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul. From the left, presidential primary candidates Won Hee-ryong, Yoon Seok-yeol, Yoo Seung-min, and Hong Joon-pyo are seen conversing before the debate began. 2021.10.31 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] In the final debate held by the People Power Party presidential candidates, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol clashed over the issue of the 'dog meat consumption' policy.

On the evening of the 31st, at the 10th joint debate held at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul, former lawmaker Yoo asked, "You keep dogs and cats at home, but you did not announce any pledges related to companion animals. When asked about your thoughts on the issue of consuming dogs as food, you said it was a matter of choice and difficult to speak about carelessly."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon responded, "Personally, I am opposed, but if it is to be prohibited as a national policy, there needs to be a social consensus among many people."

Yoo then said, "There are about 15 million people who raise and love companion animals. The issue of dog meat consumption is very sensitive and is directly connected to problems such as animal abuse." In response, Yoon said, "It is not abuse of companion animals; dogs raised for food are kept separately, aren't they?"

Surprised, Yoo asked again, "Aren't the dogs raised separately for food the same dogs?" to which Yoon replied, "In any case, companion animals should be treated as family."

When Yoo pointed out, "I really don't understand the remark about 'dogs for food,'" Yoon answered, "My position is opposition, but institutionalizing it by law requires consensus from many people. Isn't it the same with the Anti-Discrimination Act?"