South Korea's Dog Meat Culture

Asia Insight – Season 7

For centuries, a unique culture has existed in South Korea around the breeding and slaughter of dogs for their meat. However, protests by animal activists during the Olympics severely impacted public opinion of dog meat, costing breeders their jobs and reducing sales to a fraction of previous levels. Animal-lovers seek compassion for the animals, while those involved in the industry counter that their businesses are not in violation of the country's admittedly vague legislation. In this episode, we explore this industry at the center of a complex social controversy.