Dog Meat Market Disappears into History Amid Concerns over Animal Abuse

BUSAN, May 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Busan’s Gupo Dog Meat Market, in operation 60 years but recently a lightning rod for criticism over animal abuse, will be closed.

The merchant association of Busan’s Buk District and Gupo Livestock Market reported on Thursday that it has tentatively agreed to close 19 stores in the market that sell dog meat before July 12.

Park Yong-soon, head of the livestock branch of Gupo’s dog meat market, said, “Although we are losing ground that we have worked on for decades, we have reached a tentative agreement in terms of the grand trend of the times.”

Although there have been many attempts to close down other dog meat markets, such as that of Seongnam, it will be the first time in the country that a complete shutdown has taken place.

“In order to escape the stigma of animal abuse, the district office will create a pleasant environment by creating animal-friendly streets in the future,” Buk District Mayor Jeong Myeong-hui said.

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