Ju Yeong-bong, who represents an industry group and led Thursday’s rally, said politicians had no right to close down an industry or decide what people choose to eat.
“We can’t agree with the idea that it is barbaric, because all countries that have the tradition of animal husbandry have at some point eaten dogs and there are still countries where it’s done,” he said.
The farmers had been completely excluded from discussion on the Bill and the proposed financial compensation was completely inadequate given they would lose their livelihoods, Ju said.
The farmers scuffled with police who outnumbered them and set up barricades to stop them from crossing the street to move closer to the presidential office. Three protesters including Ju were detained by police in a chaotic scene, the organisers said.
While the practice of eating dog meat has declined in popularity, the farmers and restaurant owners who serve the meat have been fighting to keep it legal.
The farmers have accused first lady Kim, a vocal critic of dog meat consumption, of exercising what they call improper pressure on the government and the ruling party to bring in the ban.
“The first lady has spoken out about this issue with keen interest, and both in the country and abroad there is support and consensus, as well as from the opposition party,” the presidential office said.
Source: CNA
