The government in Korea will allocate $75 million to get restaurateurs to stop selling dog meat.

The South Korean government has planned to eradicate the practice of eating dog meat by 2027. For this, it will spend nearly 100 billion won ($75 million). Farmers and restaurants that sell dog meat will be offered subsidies to close their business or change their field of activity.

As part of this program, Korean farmers will be able to receive up to $452 for each dog they turn into a shelter. Authorities plan to find new homes for over half a million dogs.

«Many are concerned that dogs may be euthanized or killed over the next three years, but I can confidently say that this is not part of our plans», – said South Korea's Deputy Minister of Agriculture Park Bom Soo.

The consumption of dog meat is an ancient tradition in South Korea. However, over time it has become rare, as more and more Koreans consider dogs their pets. Currently, there are more than 1,500 farms and over 200 restaurants in the country that offer dog meat.

The media reports that the decline in demand for dog meat indicates a shift in societal perceptions. Even South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has several pets – dogs and cats.

This South Korean initiative is seen as an important step in delegitimizing the consumption of dog meat and protecting animals. It is also accompanied by other similar projects around the world aimed at banning cruelty to animals and the consumption of their meat.