韓國計畫禁止吃狗肉，農民威脅要向首爾注入200萬隻狗

In South Korea, there's a heated debate about banning dog meat. Historically, Koreans consumed dog meat as a cultural practice, especially during summer to beat the heat. However, attitudes have shifted, with more Koreans now keeping dogs as companions and younger generations rejecting the practice due to concerns about animal welfare. Both the ruling and opposition political parties are working together to create laws that would prohibit eating dog meat. The proposed legislation includes heavy penalties for those involved in the dog meat industry, with potential fines and imprisonment. The laws could be enforced starting in 2027, and the government is considering providing financial support to help those in the dog meat business transition to other livelihoods. The head of the Korea Dog Meat Farmers' Association, Joo Young-bong, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed ban, threatening to release millions of dogs in protest. He argues that consuming dog meat should not be criminalized like drug trafficking or prostitution. His association had unsuccessfully requested the government to classify dogs as livestock. Animal welfare organizations are in favor of the ban, seeing it as a significant step towards ending the inhumane conditions in which many dogs are raised for consumption. Cho Hee-kyung, an animal rights activist, notes that there is growing national support for banning dog meat, citing the industry's decline and its negative impact on South Korea's global reputation. Official statistics indicate the presence of numerous dog farms, slaughterhouses, and restaurants serving dog meat, but these numbers are disputed by industry representatives who claim the government's surveys are biased and aimed at shutting down their operations without adequate compensation. The dogs bred for meat, known as nureongi, are often used in traditional dishes, and there are concerns that some may be stolen pets, complicating the ethical issues. The campaign against dog meat consumption gained traction with the support of the first lady, Kim Keon-hee, who has advocated for the cause and discussed it with international figures. A recent poll shows a significant majority of South Koreans are now against eating dog meat, with a steep decline in the number of people who have consumed it in the past year.