For 40 years, Shin Seung-cheol ran a canine meat distribution firm that when recorded annual gross sales of 5 billion gained ($3.8 million) and employed six individuals. At this time, he spends his days promoting greens at native markets, attempting to earn sufficient to outlive.
After the passage of the so-called “canine meat ban regulation” final January, which prohibits the breeding, slaughter, distribution and sale of canines for meals, Shin noticed his enterprise collapse. The stress, he stated, even led to a most cancers prognosis. His household now runs what stays of the operation.
With lower than one 12 months remaining within the three-year grace interval forward of full enforcement in February 2027, canine meat distributors and restaurant homeowners throughout Korea are making ready for collective authorized motion.
The Nationwide Canine Meat Affiliation says it should file administrative lawsuits subsequent month towards greater than 50 native governments, with roughly 400 contributors — representing round 10 % of the nation’s 4,140 related companies.
Officers from the affiliation say that regardless of repeated requires satisfactory compensation, the federal government has provided no significant response.
“That is concerning the livelihoods of tons of of 1000’s of small-business homeowners,” stated Park Myung-jin, head of the group.
Business members additionally level to unequal remedy in comparison with canine farm homeowners. The Ministry of Agriculture, Meals and Rural Affairs final September established a “canine meat ban street map,” providing subsidies of as much as 600,000 gained per canine to farm homeowners who voluntarily closed their companies.
Those that closed earlier obtained extra. Over the previous 12 months, roughly 70 % of registered canine farms — 1,072 out of 1,537 — have shut down.
Animal rights activists rescue canines on the livestock market in Gupo Market, Busan, in July 2019. Korea Instances file
In contrast, compensation for canine meat distributors and restaurant homeowners has been restricted largely to non-cash assist. Measures embrace consulting for enterprise closure, partial assist for relocating or changing signage, and job-seeking incentives by present small-business applications.
The Ministry of Meals and Drug Security additionally offered as much as 2.5 million gained towards nameplate and menu board adjustments for these prepared to modify menus — however trade figures say this falls far wanting what’s wanted.
Funds disparities spotlight the divide. The agriculture ministry allotted greater than 70 billion gained this 12 months for canine farm closures and facility restructuring, whereas the meals security ministry budgeted simply 3.9 billion gained for associated small-business assist.
Activists argue that extra in depth compensation, much like the redevelopment program at Busan’s Gupo Market in 2019, is warranted. That program offered as much as two years of dwelling assist, first precedence for brand spanking new industrial areas and backed lease for taking part retailers when the market was dismantled.
The Ministry of Meals and Drug Security, nevertheless, stated additional compensation is unlikely. “We’re working based mostly on the prevailing regulation and accepted grasp plans,” a ministry official stated. “Modifications would require inter-ministerial decision-making.”
The affiliation’s lawsuit plans symbolize rising pushback from small-business homeowners who say their livelihoods are being sacrificed as Korea transitions away from canine meat consumption — a shift pushed by evolving public sentiment and international criticism.
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Instances.
