The South Korean canine meat commerce will formally finish in 2027 after a invoice was handed making the slaughter of canines and the sale of canine meat for human consumption unlawful within the nation (although the consumption of canine meat will nonetheless be authorized). Individuals who violate this new legislation might be fined up to 30 million received (about £18,000) and be jailed for 3 years.
The information has been embraced in South Korea as a long-awaited victory by many animal safety organisations. Nevertheless it has additionally been obtained very negatively by pro-dog-meat associations, because the livelihoods of canine meat farmers and retailers will probably be instantly affected by this laws.
Canine meat is the fourth-most consumed meat in South Korea after pork, beef and rooster. Nonetheless, the follow of consuming canines has been in sharp decline over the previous few many years and has divided South Korean society for greater than half a century.
For some, the commerce represents resistance in opposition to cultural imperialism. For others, it’s an impediment to modernity. All of the whereas, little consideration is given to the destiny of different animals whose dying and commodification as meat are largely normalised and accepted.
Stigmatisation of follow
Canine consumption has an extended historical past in Korea. Some Korean students level to the excavation of canine bones from Korean relics courting to the Neolithic age (roughly from 6000BC to 2000BC) as proof that canines have been eaten since no less than that interval.
However an vital second of nationwide and worldwide friction round the follow occurred within the run-up to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Video games. The South Korean authorities on the time banned the sale of canine meat quickly within the conventional markets of the capital and requested canine meat retailers to take away canine carcasses from their stalls to keep away from offending foreigners.
This resolution was broadly criticised by a part of South Korean civil society who noticed it as a type of cultural imperialism paying homage to colonial occasions when many Korean cultural traditions have been erased or stigmatised. This episode aroused emotions of nationwide delight and safety in the direction of the consumption of canine meat.
It was adopted by a stronger response throughout the 2002 Fifa World Cup (which was co-hosted by South Korea). Influential South Korean public and political figures took a public stance in favour of canine meat as a nationwide cultural image.
Tensions have been additional reignited earlier than the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, a metropolis within the nation’s north-east. It was reported that the hiding of canine meat restaurant indicators and canine carcasses had as soon as once more been launched by the federal government.
In sharp decline
Nonetheless, there’s no denying that canine meat consumption in South Korea has slumped dramatically, notably since 2000. In 2002, three million canines have been slaughtered for consumption in South Korea per yr. In response to animal safety group, Kara, this had fallen to just below a million by the early 2020s – a 3rd of what it was greater than 20 years in the past.
In current many years, a civil motion led by animal safety charities has campaigned for the top of the commerce. This motion has largely been supported by youthful generations who, maybe additionally influenced by the event of “pet tradition”, are extra inclined to problem centuries of custom than earlier generations.
It might be argued that the Covid-19 pandemic has additionally performed a component in the sharp fall in canine meat consumption in recent times. Till the outbreak of Covid-19, reside animals, together with canines, have been typically bought and slaughtered in conventional markets. Since then, municipal authorities have opened a dialogue with canine retailers to barter the demolition of canine slaughtering services.
Ongoing analysis carried out by one in every of us (Julien Dugnoille) alongside colleagues (Frédéric Keck and Miwon Search engine optimization-Plu) means that the pandemic could have facilitated a transfer away from the established order on canine meat consumption. This shift has created a dialogue across the finish of the follow as a method to preserve city areas free from the chance of ailments that may be unfold between animals and people.
Canine farmers
Since 2014, a few of these municipalities have agreed to compensate canine meat retailers for closing canine meat stalls in conventional markets. Nonetheless, now {that a} full ban is coming into impact, canine meat farmers are requesting compensation schemes as this new legislation will instantly have an effect on their livelihoods.
The Korean Canine Meat Affiliation has been arguing that the invoice represents an abuse of energy that overlooks the perspective of many South Koreans, and that it infringes on the suitable to select what one desires to eat. Final December, the Affiliation demanded compensation for farmers of two million received per particular person canine (about £1,200) and a grace interval of ten years after the ban.
Whereas the ban could also be excellent news for Korean canines, canine lovers and for animal protectionists, it adversely impacts these whose livelihoods rely on the home commerce and who’ve practised the career for generations.
The change doesn’t essentially imply an finish to the consumption of canine meat in South Korea. Canine meat consumption will proceed to be lawful (presumably equipped by imported meat).
Nonetheless, it is a milestone for the Korean relation to canines that cements the canine’s privileged standing, in distinction to different animals whose commodification as meat stays normalised and invisible.
Julien Dugnoille is Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, College of Exeter.
John Knight is Reader in Anthropology and Ethnomusicology, Queen’s College Belfast.
This text was first revealed on The Dialog.
