SEOUL, Nov 17 (Reuters) - South Korea aims to ban eating dog meat and put an end to the controversy over the ancient custom amid growing awareness of animal rights, a ruling party policy chief said on Friday.
The government and ruling party would introduce a bill this year to enforce a ban, Yu said, adding that with expected bipartisan support, the bill should sail through parliament.
First lady Kim Keon Hee has been a vocal critic of dog meat consumption and, along with her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, has adopted stray dogs.
Eating dog meat has been an age-old practice on the Korean peninsula and is seen as a way to beat the summer heat.
A Gallup Korea poll last year showed 64% opposed dog meat consumption.
Persons:
Yu, Chung Hwang, keun, Kim Keon Hee, Yoon Suk, Ed Davies, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
Power Party, Agriculture, Humane Society International, Gallup, Thomson
Locations:
SEOUL, Korea, South Korea, Gallup Korea