SEOUL: South Korea's parliament on Tuesday passed a bill banning breeding, slaughtering and selling dogs for their meat, a traditional practice that activists have long called an embarrassment for the country.

The National Assembly passed the bill by a 208-0 vote, which will come into effect after a three-year grace period. Breeding, selling and slaughtering dogs for their meat will be punishable by up to three years in prison or 30 million won (RM105,938) in fines. --AFP

(FILE PHOTO) A policeman stands guard next to a truck containing caged dogs during a protest by dog farmers against the government’s move to ban dog meat consumption, in Seoul. South Korea’s parliament on Tuesday passed a bill banning breeding, slaughtering and selling dogs for their meat. -AFP/Anthony WALLACE
(FILE PHOTO) A policeman stands guard next to a truck containing caged dogs during a protest by dog farmers against the government’s move to ban dog meat consumption, in Seoul. South Korea’s parliament on Tuesday passed a bill banning breeding, slaughtering and selling dogs for their meat. -AFP/Anthony WALLACE