Seoul. South Korea unveiled a compensation plan on Thursday for farmers and workers in the declining dog meat industry ahead of a full ban set to take effect in 2027. However, the proposal faces opposition from both dog meat farmers and animal rights activists.

The ban, passed by the South Korean parliament in January, will outlaw the slaughtering, breeding, and sale of dog meat for human consumption after a three-year grace period. Violations of the ban will result in prison sentences of 2-3 years.

The Ministry of Agriculture announced that farmers would be offered compensation starting from 225,000 won ($170) and up to 600,000 won ($450) per dog if they voluntarily shut down their operations before the ban is enforced. However, dog meat farmers argue that this offer is insufficient, having earlier demanded 2 million won ($1,505) per dog. They claim the ban violates their rights and threatens their livelihoods. On Tuesday, an association of dog farmers called for an extended grace period and a more substantial compensation package.

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Sangkyung Lee, campaign manager for Humane Society International in South Korea, praised the government’s announcement as a crucial step toward ending the dog meat industry. However, he expressed disappointment with the compensation plan, warning that it could incentivize farmers to breed more dogs to receive larger payouts.

While dog meat consumption has long been a part of Korean culture, the practice has come under increased scrutiny due to South Korea's growing reputation as a global cultural and economic power. The country is also unique in maintaining industrial-scale dog farms.

South Korea’s anti-dog meat movement gained momentum after First Lady Kim Keon Hee voiced her support for a ban, despite facing harsh criticism from farmers. Although surveys show that about one in three South Koreans oppose the ban, most people no longer consume dog meat and favor its prohibition.

Vice Agriculture Minister Park Beomsu reported that around 466,000 dogs are currently being raised for food in South Korea. The government plans to encourage farmers to phase out breeding operations before the ban takes effect. After the ban, the remaining dogs will either be adopted or relocated to care facilities rather than being euthanized.

In addition to compensating farmers, the government will offer financial aid to butchers and restaurant owners affected by the ban, as well as low-interest loans to help them transition into other agricultural businesses. Local authorities will also be tasked with dismantling dog farms and slaughterhouses.

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