Tax evasion has become the latest weapon in the fight against the Korean dog meat trade.
The Korean animal welfare community is currently targeted the dog meat shops of Gyeongdong Market in Seoul, South Korea. They have been patrolling the area for days gathering evidence of abuse that violates Korea’s animal protection laws.
Photo by Won Sun Park
The challenge, however, is gathering solid evidence. Dogs are displayed in cages one day and sold as meat the next. The abuse, torture and slaughter takes place behind closed doors.
- Despite the challenges, animal activists are applying pressure on local dog meat shop owners by reporting animal abuse, food sanitation and fire regulation infractions. Their efforts are greatly assisted by positive support from Seoul mayor Won Soon Park and help from animal protection and other municipal officials.
The emotional toll on these dedicated activists is incredible. Imagine patrolling a dog meat market numerous times each day. You approach one of the cages and a dog starts to lick your hand. Next the dog is dragged into the shop. You know the horror that’s about to take place and you’re helpless to stop it. The next day the dog is gone and a new carcass hangs in the shop window.
Fueled by such experiences, the activists have identified a cunning strategy to increase the pressure on dog meat sellers: nail them for tax evasion. They noticed during their patrols that many dog meat vendors conduct business via cash only transactions. There is no paper trail and no sales tax is collected.
Tax evasion is a serious offence in Korea, with significantly larger penalties than animal abuse violations. After consulting with several experts, the Korean activists will focus on filing civil complaints of tax evasion against the dog meat sellers of Gyeongdong Market.
With enough pressure from the animal welfare community, in partnership with tax officials at various levels of government, this new strategy might be enough to permanently close down all dog meat trade in Gyeongdong Market. It’s hard to believe, but the tax man may soon prove be dog’s best friend.
Original Korean English translation by Eun Bee
I understood that the new South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, was a dog lover and that he would put an end to this horror in S.K., a la Taiwan!? I was elated that he won, but hasn’t he done anything to address this most ugly abomination?? Does he not have the power? Please explain. Thank you, Pam Elness
Mr. Moon is just like any other politicians. He’d say anything to become the president. Once he does, he has the power to control things to his advantage. In fact, he really hasn’t done much yet at all. All he cares about is N. Korea. How he can help them…
That is not true.. as a president he cannot change everything. If he could that would be just like the dictator Kim in North Korea. They are addressing animal rights law for the first time but all this take time in the congress and the opposition party who will do anything to just oppose him. He can’t even get his cabinet in place because of ridiculous oppositions. Give him time we are already on the right track and meanwhile we must support activists and advocate and also continue to show our fury to the korean government
This is a good sign and we are so grateful for the animal rights activists on the ground in S.Korea. Keep up the great work and protests, and let people know how we may assist. The new President Moon needs to step it up now and stop the dog meat trade!!
In my opinion Mr. President Moon Jae-in needs to take action as soon as possible. This cruelty against our best furry friends is going on for a very long time in South Korea. It needs to stop now!!! The poor dogs and cats in South Korea cannot wait!!! No more killing and sacrifices for those innocent animals.
I believe that dogs and cats shouldn’t suffer and die for the trade in their meat. I support an end to the dog and cat meat trade in South Korea and urge the government to work diligently and quickly towards eradicating this cruel and unnecessary practice.
The killing of innocent and defenseless dogs and cats is very disturbing and we cannot watch torture happen and do nothing!
We were never given hearts and minds to think about the cat and dog meat trade, well they are not hurting me so I will look away and let it go on!We are better than this. It is our duty to do everything we can to stop this atrocity and genocides ASAP!!!
Such wonderful news on this new strategy!! Thank you, thank you friends for keeping up this fight!!