Yuksyeon Association Bringing 100 Real Dogs to Yongsan Demands "Guarantee Our Right to Survival"

Clash at Rally Opposing Special Law Banning Dog Meat Consumption
30 Trucks Carrying Over 100 Dogs Mobilized

On the 30th of last month, organizations including the Korea Dog Meat Association, the Korea Dog Meat Federation, and the Korea Dog Meat Merchants Association held a rally near the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul opposing the promotion of the 'Special Act to Ban Dog Meat Consumption,' which led to clashes with the police. On that day, three officials were arrested on the spot.

At a press conference, they demanded, "Stop the promotion of the harmful dog meat ban law," and argued, "The right to livelihood of one million dog farming workers must be guaranteed." They also brought about 100 dogs in 30 vehicles and clashed with the police while trying to unload the dogs from the vehicles.

During this process, three officials from the Korea Dog Meat Association were arrested on the spot on charges including obstruction of official duties. The dogs were not released from the vehicles.

On the 30th of last month, dogs confined in cages were displayed on a road near the Government Sejong Complex. [Image source=Animal Rights Action Kara]

That morning, the Korea Dog Meat Association and others also held a performance in front of the government Sejong Government Complex, displaying about 10 dogs in cages lined up on the road.

Earlier, on the 17th, the government and the People Power Party announced plans to promote the 'Special Act to End Dog Meat Consumption' within the year. If the bill is enacted, dogs will be excluded from livestock under the Livestock Act. However, a three-year grace period will be granted.

On the afternoon of the 30th of last month, participants in a rally in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, clashed with the police as they tried to tow a truck carrying dogs.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, the Dog Meat Association strongly opposed the move. On the 21st, Ju Young-bong, chairman of the Korea Dog Meat Association's Committee on the Right to Eat and Livelihood, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and claimed, "This is completely insane. The person known as the president's wife trampled on human rights for dog rights and took away the people's right to food."

He added, "There is strong backlash from farmers. We are currently discussing releasing the 2 million dogs we are raising," and warned, "There are talks about releasing them at Yongsan, Hannam Bridge, in front of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' house, and at the district offices of the lawmakers who proposed the bill."