South Korea's parliament passed a bill banning the butchering and selling of dog meat on Tuesday in a bid to end the long-continued practice in the country.
Dog meat was once consumed as it was thought to have stamina-boosting properties but it has become less popular in recent years, with a rising amount of South Koreans considering dogs as pets.
Now that the bill has passed through the National Assembly with 208 votes in favor and two abstentions, breeding, butchering, distributing and selling dogs for food purposes will be banned from 2027, after a three-year grace period.
Violation of the enacted bill could mean imprisonment for a maximum of three years or fines of up to 30 million won ($22,800) if convicted.
Those who work in the dog meat industry or run related businesses have protested against the bill, though it stipulates subsidies for them to close down and switch industries.
According to farm ministry data released in February 2022, there were about 30 dog meat abattoirs, around 210 distributors, and some 1,600 restaurants in the country.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee, living with several pets, are well-known as dog lovers.
Related coverage:
South Korea opposition leader stabbed in neck during visit to Busan
South Korea top court upholds wartime labor rulings against Japan firms
