South Korea protesters clash with police over outlawing dog meat industry

Hundreds of South Korean dog farm owners gathered in front of the presidential office in Seoul on Thursday to protest against the government and ruling party's recent move to introduce new legislation on outlawing the dog meat industry.

Protesters were seen clashing with police as they broke down barriers to move towards the presidential office.

Ju Yeong-bong, Korean Dog Meat Association's secretary-general, called the government's move one of "crime and violence" and said dog farm owners would fight to ensure the survival of the dog meat industry.

Dog farm owners initially tried to bring dogs to the rally but were stopped by police.

Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days.

It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image.

Prospects for passage of an anti-dog meat law are unclear because of protests by farmers, restaurant owners and others involved in the dog meat industry.

Surveys suggest that one in three South Koreans oppose such a ban, though most people don’t eat dog meat anymore.