South Korea Closes Largest Dog Meat Market

Sometimes it is very difficult to understand and accept the customs of other peoples that have little to do with our characteristic behavior. So it ‘s good news that South Korea has decided to shut down dog meat outlets at Moran market.

Moran Market’s dog meat trades should restructure

Located in the city of Seongnam, some 26 km south of the Korean capital, this fair has been in operation since the beginning of the 60s of the last century. It is reputed that everything you are looking for is found there. Including, and unfortunately, dog meat.

It is estimated that around 80,000 dogs per year were sold on the market, dead or alive. It is no coincidence that Moran was considered the first supplier of this “product” in that country.

But now, the 22 traders dedicated to this “branch” must dismantle their cages and slaughterhouses before May 2017. To compensate them, the city will provide them with a subsidy. The idea is that they become other activities.

A long struggle in defense of animal rights

Organizations that fight for animal rights have been denouncing this issue for a long time. One of them is KAWA (Korean Animal Welfare Association).

Dogs were huddled together. In addition, they were displayed for customers to literally choose what they wanted to eat. Therefore, if the buyer did not take the selected specimen, the animal was dismembered. This happened, even, in front of everyone. And the use of cruel methods to kill them is well documented (electrocution, hanging, blows, etc.).

But despite the approval of animal rights advocates for this measure in favor of dogs, they know their task doesn’t end there. Now they will have to watch more than ever so that the practice does not continue clandestinely, both in the market and in its surroundings. In addition, they have to continue fighting for the ban on the sale of dog meat to be extended to the entire country.

An opportunistic measure?

The decision to close these posts from the Moran market also came after the large number of complaints from some tourists. In addition, neighbors who live in the region spoke out against trade. They felt affected by the noise and odors that this type of “business” generated.

However, some suspect the move is quite opportunistic. It would have to do with the fact that South Korea is the organizer of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The sentence pronounced by the mayor of Seongnam can be measured with this ruler. Lee Jae-myung was not ashamed, even, to quote Gandhi : “The city will take the initiative to transform the image of South Korea, since the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way it treats its animals”, he declared.

The difficult way to stop being food and become a pet

Like other Asian countries, dog meat is considered part of the culinary tradition in Korea. But its consumption has declined dramatically in recent years. It declined as dogs became pets. Proof of this is that, in the same market in Moran, in 2001, there were 54 shops dedicated to this “business”, now only the 22 stations that have already started to be dismantled remain.

However, there is a legal limbo that allows these practices to continue. South Korea does not have legislation that prohibits the sale and consumption of dog meat, but neither is the activity regulated.

And, although the norm related to the sacrifice and distribution of cattle does not include dogs, there are commercial farms where these animals are raised to meet the demand for meat.

So, even though we have to celebrate this big step, it is clear that there is much to be done for the well-being of pets in this country. And also in the rest of the world.