Howls of satisfaction among Korean animal activists, after the Seoul parliament unanimously banned the consumption of dog meat this Tuesday. The law agreed upon by the two major political forces has been approved with 208 votes in favor and two abstentions. It provides, among other things, penalties of up to three years in prison for breeders of dogs for human consumption - with fines of more than 20,000 euros - and two years in prison for distributors.
Both the 3,500 farms and specialized restaurants must register and submit to their city council throughout this semester a reconversion plan, which may be gradual. The authorities grant a three-year grace period and financial aid to change businesses and finally put an end to this trade, which embarrasses more and more South Koreans.
Officially, there are currently half a million caged dogs in the country, fattening up to be slaughtered and cooked. Nothing will save them. However, starting today, the opening of any dog farm, distributor, restaurant or slaughterhouse is prohibited. Although there is unanimity in Parliament, sponsored by President Yoon Suk-yeol and, above all, the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, who live with several pets, there is no such unanimity on the street.
Not in vain, it is an ancient culinary tradition. Farmers have demonstrated almost as much as animal activists, in defense of their interests and in defense of individual freedom. Or at least, in defense of the best possible conditions to benefit from well-regarded forms of livestock farming.
In reality, the dog meat industry had been semi-clandestine for 45 years. At the end of the seventies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stopped including dogs for consumption in its statistics. However, this industry exists and is four times larger than semi-official estimates, according to sector sources, with four thousand breeders and hundreds of slaughterhouses.
Its consumers, it is true, are many fewer than a decade ago, let alone in the postwar period. Today they are generally older men, who consume it in second-rate restaurants, with abundant spices to disguise the strong flavor and smell. In summer, however, dog soup is popular with a much wider audience. "It's like a Redbull, your eyes pop out," explains Yudang, a fan of this type of meat. But for the majority of young people, a dog can only be a companion animal, in no case the highlight of lunch or dinner.
In any case, Koreans are not the only Asians who love dog meat. From northeastern India - in the case of some tribes - to Vietnam and Indonesia, dog meat is part of the diet, although to a much lesser extent than pork, beef or chicken. Some countries, such as the Philippines, Singapore, India and even Taiwan, were several years ahead of Seoul by imposing a ban on this type of meat. Last year alone there were six proposals or bills to ban it in South Korea, which failed.
On the other hand, in Indonesia, its popularity is increasing. In Vietnam, the silhouette of grilled dogs is clearly distinguishable in street stalls and, in China, the already very popular Yulin Dog and Lychee Festival was created only in 2009.
Food taboos, finally, vary by culture. Eating rabbit, for the Japanese, is typical of heartless people. Eating beef is unthinkable for most Indians - the hamburgers at Indian McDonald's are chicken or potato - and for Koreans, eating snails is disgusting.
The president of South Korea scores a point with a part of the electorate. In part the same one that he observed with horror as, a year ago, he abolished the Ministry of Equality (of the sexes). Although at first glance the law does not penalize the consumer, its fellow citizens will be unable to legally consume dog meat within a period of three years. They will always have North Korea, although meat is not abundant there.
