Despite the approach of 'chobok,' one of the hottest days of summer, Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, saw its once-bustling dog meat restaurants nearly deserted. Historically, Koreans have turned to 'bosintang,' a stew made with dog meat, during these hot days for its purported health benefits. Moran Market, once one of Korea’s largest dog meat markets, now has only about 20 eateries still open, a sharp decline from over 50 in its heyday.
The decline is largely due to a new dog meat ban effective since February, with a three-year grace period for compliance. The National Assembly passed the bill, responding to growing animal rights awareness. As a result, sales of dog meat have plummeted, and many vendors are shifting to selling black goat and duck meat instead.
A 2022 survey indicated that South Korea had over 1,000 dog farms and 1,666 restaurants selling dog meat. The government plans to announce a compensation scheme for affected businesses, requiring closure or transition plans by August 5 to qualify.
The ban has faced protests from the Korean Association of Edible Dog, which filed a petition claiming the ban infringes on dietary and professional freedoms. They argue that the government has not provided adequate support for transitioning away from the dog meat industry.
Animal advocacy groups continue to push for a complete end to the dog meat trade, highlighting ongoing illegal activities and calling for stricter enforcement during the transition period.

Type of Data Point - News or Reportage

Summer heat fails to boost dog meat consumption - The Korea Times

Visit page of the element - Moran Market

Inserted: 17-07-2024 00:07:28