South Korea seeks to find homes for half a million dogs

South Korea's Vice Agriculture Minister Park Beom-su said the government will spend about 100 billion won ($75 million) on incentives for dog breeders, farmers and restaurants to encourage them to close their businesses.

Farmers can also receive up to 600,000 won ($452) for each dog they hand in, he added, and the government will try to adopt or find new homes for many of them at rescue shelters.

“Although many people are concerned that the remaining dogs may be euthanized or many of them may be processed for consumption in the next three years, I am sure that is not our plan,” said Mr. Park.

Photo: Reuters

However, the government's plan has faced criticism from some animal rights activists and those in the dog meat industry.

Sangkyung Lee, campaign director at animal rights group Humane Society International, said that while the plan marked an important milestone, the government needed to better manage the welfare of animals that were no longer raised for meat.

“There is no way that animal shelters can take in such a large number of dogs,” he said, noting that less than 10% of pets in South Korea are rescued animals.

Ju Yeongbong, who represents a dog meat industry group, said government subsidies were insufficient and vowed to fight for better support. “This is our livelihood, and if the government wants us to give it up, there should be more reasonable support schemes,” Ju said.

In January, South Korea's parliament passed a bill banning the eating and selling of dog meat, ending a centuries-old tradition in a country that has increasingly advocated animal welfare and where demand for the food is declining.

Eating dog meat was once considered a way to boost stamina during Korea's humid summers, but the custom has gradually faded as more Koreans consider dogs as pets and criticism of the way dogs are slaughtered grows.

South Korea has more than 1,500 dog farms and more than 200 dog slaughterhouses. About 2,300 restaurants still serve dog meat.

Support for the ban has grown under President Yoon Suk Yeol, an animal lover who owns six dogs and eight cats along with First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who has also been a vocal critic of dog meat consumption.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)

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