South Korea: A special bill (№2122926) to end dog meat consumption is proposed on 6/28/2023
Sharing from: https://koreandogs.org/bill-2122926/
The Special Bill, introduced on June 28, 2023, by Democratic Party Assembly Member Han Jeoung-ae and co-sponsored by 11 lawmakers, proposes to end dog meat consumption.
Assemblywoman Han said in a press release, “In Korea, dog eating is still practiced because it is a long-standing custom…It is not only clearly illegal under the current law, but also goes against the heightened awareness of our citizens about animals…Considering changing social attitudes and Korea’s status in the international community, dog eating is a custom that should be abolished now.”
Below is a translation of the bill using ChatGPT and Google Translate with our edits:
[2122926] Special bill to end dog meat consumption (12 Members, including Assemblywoman Han Jeoung-ae)
👉 Click HERE to see this bill in Bill Information System.
Co-sponsors of the bill:
Han Jeoung-ae (Democratic Party of Korea)
Kang Sun-woo (Democratic Party of Korea)
Koh Yong-jin (Democratic Party of Korea)
Kwon Chil-seung (Democratic Party of Korea)
Kim Young-joo (Democratic Party of Korea)
Nam In-soon (Democratic Party of Korea)
Park Hong-keun (Democratic Party of Korea)
Yong Hye-in (Basic Income Party)
Wi Seong-gon (Democratic Party of Korea)
Youn Mee-hyang (Independent)
Lee Dong-ju (Democratic Party of Korea)
Jeon Hae-cheol (Democratic Party of Korea)
Subcommittee: Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Reason for the Proposal
Dogs have been living alongside humans for thousands of years, earning the status of companion animals and being recognized as a part of the family, as they are the animals that empathize most closely with humans worldwide. In South Korea, the population of pet owners has been rapidly increasing every year due to factors such as economic growth and changes in family structures, and various surveys indicate that the awareness of companion animals among our citizens is also very high.
However, despite these circumstances, the consumption of dogs for meat still persists in South Korea due to long-standing customs. This not only goes against global trends but also significantly contradicts the perception of our citizens. Considering the international standing of the Republic of Korea, it can be said that this is a custom that should now be abolished.
In particular, despite the clear illegality of dog meat consumption under current laws, there has been a gross violation of animal rights, including all forms of animal cruelty and illegal activities, without any sanctions, due to the government’s negligence and tolerance.
Therefore, this proposal aims to prohibit acts such as breeding, slaughtering, and using dogs for meat and to establish support measures for the closure of the dog meat industry and transition of related businesses in order to eradicate the wrong practice of dog meat consumption and bring an end to the consumption of dogs.
Key Contents
A. The purpose of this law is to contribute to the realization of the values of animal protection that respect life and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and animals by stipulating necessary matters to eradicate dog meat consumption (Article 1 of the bill).
B. The acquisition, transportation, storage, sale, consumption, or solicitation of food or processed products made from dogs, knowing that they are intended for consumption, is prohibited (Article 5 of the bill).
C. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall establish a basic plan for eradicating dog meat consumption, which includes the closure and support for the closure and change of business of dog meat farms (Article 6 of the bill).
D. A Dog Meat Consumption Eradication Committee, under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, shall be established to review matters related to the eradication of dog meat consumption (Article 8 of the bill).
E. If a dog meat farm owner who has obtained discharge facility permits under the “Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta,” closes and ceases operations of the dog meat farm, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may provide closure support funds. Individuals seeking to receive closure support funds shall apply to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and submit a disposal plan for the dogs being raised for consumption purposes (Article 9 of the bill).
F. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may provide support such as vocational education and training, employment information, employment guidance, and job placement for dog meat farm owners who close and cease operations and seek to change their occupation or find employment in another industry (Article 10 of the bill).
G. Individuals who have been punished for acts involving the acquisition, transportation, storage, sale, or solicitation of dogs for meat, knowing that they are intended for consumption, shall be prohibited from owning dogs. The heads of local government bodies shall isolate and take necessary measures to protect and manage such dogs (Article 13 of the bill).
Title of the Bill: Special Bill for the Eradication of Dog Meat Consumption
Article 1 (Purpose)
This law aims to contribute to the realization of the values of animal protection, which aims for the respect of life and harmonious coexistence between humans and animals, by establishing provisions necessary to eradicate dog meat consumption.
Article 2 (Definitions)
The following terms used in this law shall have the following meanings:
1. “Meat Dog farm” refers to a farm where dogs are raised for consumption.
2. “Farm owner” refers to the person who operates a meat dog farm.
Article 3 (Responsibilities of the Governments)
① The central and local governments shall establish necessary measures to eradicate dog meat consumption.
② Non-Governmental organizations and private entities may support the measures of the central and local governments to eradicate dog meat consumption through private activities.
③ Farm owners shall actively cooperate with the measures of the central and local governments to eradicate dog meat consumption.
Article 4 (Relationship with Other Laws)
In matters relating to eradicating dog meat consumption, this law shall take precedence over other laws.
Article 5 (Prohibition of Breeding, Slaughter, etc., of dogs for Consumption)
① No one shall raise, breed or slaughter dogs for consumption.
② No one shall acquire, transport, store, sell, consume, or facilitate such actions knowing that processed products are made using dogs.
Article 6 (Master Plan for the Eradication of Dog Meat Consumption, etc.)
① The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall establish a master plan for the eradication of dog meat consumption (hereinafter referred to as the “master plan”), which includes the following:
1. Matters related to the closure and cessation of dog meat farms
2. Matters related to support for closure and career transition
3. Matters related to the protection and management of dogs whose ownership has been relinquished by farm owners
4. Other matters deemed necessary for the eradication of dog meat consumption as prescribed by the Presidential Decree
② When establishing the master plan, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall consult with the relevant central administrative agency in advance and obtain the opinions of mayors of Seoul metropolitan cities, Metropolitan Cities, Special Self-Governing Cities, and governors of provinces, or Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as “mayors and governors”). The master plan shall also be subject to deliberation by the Committee for the Eradication of Dog Meat Consumption under Article 8. The same shall apply when attempting to change significant matters determined by the Presidential Decree.
③ Mayors and governors shall establish and implement annual implementation plans (hereinafter referred to as “implementation plans”) in accordance with the master plan.
④ Mayors and governors shall submit the implementation plans for the respective year and the progress of the previous year per the provisions prescribed by the Presidential Decree to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs annually.
⑤ Other matters necessary for establishing and implementing the master plan and implementation plans shall be determined by the Presidential Decree.
Article 7 (Survey of Current Status)
① To efficiently establish and implement the master plan, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may conduct surveys (hereinafter referred to as “surveys”) on the following matters:
1. Distribution status of meat dog farms
2. Status of the people working in meat dog farms
3. Number of dogs and breeding environments in meat dog farms
4. Other matters deemed necessary for the efficient establishment and implementation of the master plan as prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
② The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may request the submission of necessary materials from relevant central administrative agencies, local government authorities, and heads of animal-related organizations if deemed necessary to investigate the actual conditions. In such cases, the recipient of the request for submission of materials shall comply, except in extenuating circumstances.
③ The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may authorize the entry and investigation of dog farms’ facilities and offices by officials under their jurisdiction to investigate the conditions. In this case, the authorized officials conducting the entry and investigation must possess identification indicating their authority and present it to the relevant individuals.
④ The details, scope, and procedures of the investigation of the actual conditions shall be determined by presidential decree.
Article 8 (Organization and operation of the Committee for the Eradication of Dog Meat Consumption)
① To deliberate on matters related to the eradication of dog meat consumption, a committee called the Committee for the Eradication of Dog Meat Consumption (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”) shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
② The Committee shall deliberate on the following matters:
1. Matters related to the master plan.
2. Matters regarding formulating and adjusting major policies to eradicate dog meat consumption.
3. Other matters related to eradicating dog meat consumption as specified by presidential decree.
③ The Committee shall comprise no more than 25 members, including one chairperson.
④ The chairperson of the Committee shall be the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. The members of the Committee shall consist of general civil servants belonging to high-ranking officials designated by presidential decree from relevant central administrative agencies, representatives of dog farm owners or personnel engaged in dog meat farming, individuals recommended by animal protection organizations, and experts with extensive knowledge and experience in animal-related matters, appointed or commissioned by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
⑤ Other necessary matters regarding the composition and operation of the Committee shall be determined by presidential decree.
Article 9 (Support for Closure)
① The Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries may pay subsidies for business closure if a farmer who has obtained permission, registered or reported for meat dog farm in any of the following subparagraphs shuts down the relevant meat dog farm and shuts down the business:
1. Business registration according to Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Value-Added Tax Act.
2. Permit for discharge facilities according to Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta, or notification of discharge facilities according to the same article, Paragraph 3.
3. Permit for waste treatment business according to Article 25, Paragraph 3 of the Waste Control Act.
4. Notification of waste treatment according to Article 46, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Waste Control Act.
② A person who wishes to receive business closure support funds, according to Paragraph 1, must apply for the payment of such funds to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In this case, a disposal plan must be submitted for dogs being raised for consumption according to the following methods.
1. Transfer to an animal protection center according to Article 35, Paragraph 1 or Article 36, Paragraph 1 of the Animal Protection Act.
2. Transfer to a private animal protection facility reported under Article 37, Paragraph 1 of the Animal Protection Act.
3. Any other methods prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
③ The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may provide additional support as follows when granting business closure support funds according to Paragraph 1. In this case, priority or differential support may be provided depending on the closure timing of the dog farming facility.
1. Remaining value of facilities and facility removal expenses.
2. Disposal of dogs for which the farm owner relinquishes ownership.
3. Any other support necessary for business closure as prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
④ The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may authorize officials under their jurisdiction to enter and inspect the breeding facilities or offices of dog farming facilities to verify the closure and cessation of operations of dog meat farms. In this case, the authorized officials conducting the entry and inspection must carry identification indicating their authority and show it to the relevant individuals.
⑤ Matters necessary for application for business closure support funds under paragraphs (1) and (2), specific standards and methods for calculation, notice of decision on subsidy for business closure, payment procedure, etc. shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Article 10 (Support for Transition to Other Occupations)
① The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may provide support when a farm owner who has closed and ceased operations of a dog meat farm intends to change their industry or seek employment in a different industry, per Paragraph 1 of Article 9. In this case, priority or differential support may be provided depending on the industry to which the transition is made.
1. Vocational education and training.
2. Provision of employment information, job counseling, and job placement.
3. Subsidies or loans for support in transitioning to other occupations.
4. Any other matters prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
② The necessary matters regarding the support methods and procedures under Paragraph 1 shall be prescribed by the Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Article 11 (Formal Objection)
① If a farm owner has objections to the decision on the business closure support funds under Paragraph 1 of Article 9, they may submit their objections to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs within one month of receiving the notification of the decision.
② When submitting objections under Paragraph 1, the applicant must clearly state the reasons for the objection and the content of the objection, and necessary supporting evidence, if any, shall be submitted together.
③ The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, upon receiving objections as stated in Paragraph 1, must process them within two months from the date of receipt.
④ A person who has submitted objections under Paragraph 1 may file administrative litigation under the Administrative Appeals Act or an administrative lawsuit under the Administrative Litigation Act, regardless of the objections submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
⑤ In addition to the matters stated in Paragraphs 1 to 4, the necessary procedures for objections shall be prescribed by the Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Article 12 (Return of Support Funds)
① The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may require the recipient of business closure support funds under Paragraph 1 of Article 9 to repay all or part of the funds if any of the following apply:
1. The funds were obtained through fraudulent or other illegitimate means.
2. The funds were incorrectly disbursed.
② If a person required to repay the business closure support funds under Paragraph 1 does not repay the funds within the period specified in Paragraph 3, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall collect the funds through compulsory tax collection or local tax delinquency measures.
③ The criteria, period, and procedures for the repayment of business closure support funds under Paragraph 1 shall be prescribed by the Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Article 13 (Restrictions on Ownership of Dogs, etc.)
① A person punished under Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 16 shall not own a dog.
② The city, provincial governors, mayors of cities, counties, and districts (referring to the mayors of autonomous regions) shall take necessary measures to isolate and protect/manage a dog owned by a person in violation of Paragraph 1.
Article 14 (Delegation of Authority)
① The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may delegate part of their authority to the head of a subordinate agency, the governor of a province, or the mayor of a city/county/district, per the Presidential Decree.
② The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may entrust part of their duties to the head of an organization, corporation, or entity performing animal welfare-related tasks per the Presidential Decree.
Article 15 (Status of Public Officials for Application of Penalties)
When a person engaged in duties delegated under Paragraph 2 of Article 14 commits an offense subject to Articles 129 to 132 of the Criminal Act, they shall be considered public officials.
Article 16 (Penalties)
① A person who slaughters a dog for food purposes violating Paragraph 1 of Article 5 shall be punished with imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won.
② A person who engages in the following acts shall be punished with imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won:
1. Raising or breeding dogs for consumption violating Paragraph 1 of Article 5.
2. Knowingly acquiring, transporting, storing, or selling food or processed products made from dogs, or facilitating such acts, violating Paragraph 2 of Article 5.
Supplementary Provision
Article 1 (Effective Date)
This law shall come into effect six months after its promulgation. However, Article 5, Article 13, and Article 16 shall come into effect five years after the effective date of this law.
Article 2 (Validity Period)
Articles 6 through 11 shall be valid for five years from the effective date of this law.
👉 Click HERE to learn more: https://koreandogs.org/bill-2122926/
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Documentary: Cruel Death of South Korea’s Dogs. Dogs Are Innocent. (한국 댕댕이 잔혹사: 개는 죄가 없다)
https://koreandogs.org/documentary-koreas-dog-cruelty/
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” -Mahatma Gandhi
“한 국가의 위대함과 도덕성은 그 나라의 동물들이 어떻게 대우받고 있는지를 보면 알 수 있다.” -마하트마 간디
