Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee against dog meat consumption

Lto First Lady of Korea, Kim Keon-hee, loves animals. At home in Seoul, she and her president husband, Yoon Suk-yeol, they have well six dogs and five cats. And if on the one hand he has been fighting for years to guarantee the well-being of the eight million pets that currently populate the homes of Koreans, he has now found what will beto the most important mission of his “mandate”. Why in many restaurants in South Korea and in private homes we still eat dog meat and Kim Keon-hee wants it to be banned once and for all.

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South Korea’s first lady wants to ban the use of dog meat as food

The elegant Kim Keon-hee, who in a recent visit to the USA charmed the Americans, so much so that she was immediately baptized “the new Jackie Kennedy”, if so And asked publicly. How to reconcile the presence of dog meat at the table in times of Hallyuthe wave Korean in terms of culture and technological advancements which has now invaded the whole world?

Kim Keon-hee fights for South Korea’s pooches

The use of dog meat on the table – in fifth place in the ranking of the most consumed meats in the country – clashes, in fact, with the image of a progressive nation alreadyhas emerged as one of the world’s leading economic powers important. And supported above all by young Koreans, the First Lady decided to do something to eliminate the problem. Attracting, Howeverthe protests of an entire industry.

Kim Keon-hee with US President Joe Biden, Washington, April 2023. (Getty Images)

The Korean government does not resist the First Lady

When And presented in front of the Korean ministers, Kim Keon-hee – who has been fighting for years for an improvement in the Korean insurance system reserved for pets – leveraged the national character which, although based on strictly oriental traditions, is always inspired by more to Western values. And in doing so she managed to achieve the unthinkable by putting all political factions agree: at his insistence, the Korean government will passto a law that completely bans the use of dog meat as food.

Kim Keon-hee with husband Yoon Suk-yeol, president of South Korea, Warsaw, Poland, July 2023 (IPA)

Dogs rescued from Korean breeders are now looking for families

At the insistence of her husband president, the porter lawto precisely the name of Kim Keon-hee. And I’m already thereto many, among the over 3,500 Korean dog farms intended for human consumption, which have decided to close.

Forced by the First Lady, many former breeders have released the puppies, transferring them to abandoned dog shelters. And they have transformed their facilities into vegetable gardens or companies, suggesting a practical solution to those who have raised the issue of thousands of Koreans left without work.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with First Lady Kim Keon-hee at the G20 summit in Indonesia, November 2022 (Getty Images)

The farms arise: «Kim Keon-hee she’s a hypocrite»

Self South Korean and international animal rights associations immediately praised the First Lady’s couragehis initiative yes it collided inevitably with breeders, but it has also found strong opposition among those in Korea who consider dog meat an irreplaceable delight. In particular the boshintang, a sort of stew eaten especially in summer as they say it helps to withstand the heat. And Kim Keon-hee is accused of hypocrisy: «Why distinguish between dogs and cows, dogs and pigs?» say industry representatives.

The promise of Kim Keon-hee, champion of dogs and cats

«Therethere is still a lot to do» he commented in a recent press conference the former cultural promoter Kim Keon-hee, presenting a detailed bill that prohibits the breeding, slaughter and distribution not only of dogs but also of cats. «Our country is changing and I won’t get tired of itor never to commit myself to saving these little lives so mistreated. It’s a promise I make to myself and to the nation».

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