Table of Contents
On Tuesday, South Korea’s lawmakers made a decision to stop people from eating and selling dog meat.
For centuries Koreans have eaten dog meat, but this change is now supported by many people who care about animals.
In the past, people thought that dog meat helped them stay strong in the humid summer. Now, many people think dogs are part of the family and don’t like how they are killed for meat.
Some people say the dogs are electrocuted or hanged before they are cut into meat. However, companies that raise and sell the dogs say they kill them in a kinder way now.
The president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, loves animals and has many pets. He also supported this change. These days, more families in Korea have dogs as pets now. In 2022, 25% of families had a pet dog.
This new law got support from many members of the government. 208 out of 210 members voted in favor of it.
Starting in 2027, the new law will make it illegal to raise and kill dogs for food. People who break this law might have to pay a fine or go to jail. The law does not say anything about people who eat dog meat.
Some people who are in the business of selling dog meat are worried. They want financial assistance from the government if they have to stop their businesses.
Members of the government have promised to help these businesses as much as they can.
Vocabulary
- Lawmaker – a person, usually a politician, who makes laws; legislator;
- Make a decision – To choose or make up your mind about something; decide
- Century – a period of 100 years
- Support – to agree with a person or idea; to approve of an idea; promote; to help
- In the past – before the present time; earlier
- Humid – having a lot of moisture in the air; when the air feels wet and sticky, often during hot weather
- Part of – connected to/with; involved with; to be included
- Electrocute – To hurt or kill someone with electricity ⚡🔌
- Hang – to kill someone by dropping them with a rope tied around their neck
- Raise – To take care of a child or animal until it is grown up
- President – leader; the top person in a large company, organization, or country; boss
- These days – Now; currently; in the present
- Law – a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Member – Someone who is a part of/belongs to a group;
- Government – the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Vote – to give your opinion and make an official choice; a way of making a decision by asking a group of people
- In favor of – To agree with or support something
- Illegal – not allowed by law; forbidden by official rules; unlawful; criminal
- Break the law – to do something that is illegal or not allowed; Violate or fail to comply with a law or regulation; not follow a law
- Fine – a penalty or punishment you have to pay with money
- Jail – a place where people are held/kept as punishment for a crime
- Worry – to be/feel concerned or nervous; to be troubled; to think a lot about a negative situation; a little scared
- Financial assistance – Money or help given to someone who needs it; Help in the form of money
- Promise – To say you will definitely do something
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about South Korea’s decision to ban eating and selling dog meat?
- Why do you think the number of families having pet dogs increased in South Korea?
- Why do you think traditions change over time, like the one about eating dog meat in South Korea?
- What are some other examples of animals that are eaten in different cultures?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
On _____, South Korea’s lawmakers made a decision to stop people from _____ and selling dog meat.
For _____ Koreans have eaten dog meat, but this change is now supported by many _____ who care about animals.
In the past, people _____ that dog meat helped them stay strong in the humid _____. Now, many people think dogs are part of the _____ and don’t like how they are killed for meat.
_____ people say the dogs are electrocuted or hanged before they are _____ into meat. However, companies that raise and sell the dogs say they _____ them in a kinder way now.
The _____ of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, loves animals and has many pets. He also supported this _____. These days, more families in _____ have dogs as pets now. In 2022, 25% of families had a pet dog.
_____ new law got support from many members of the government. _____ out of 210 members voted in favor of it.
Starting in _____, the new law will make it illegal to raise and kill dogs for _____. People who break this law might have to pay a _____ or go to jail. The law does not say _____ about people who eat dog meat.
Some people who are in the _____ of selling dog meat are worried. They want financial _____ from the government if they have to _____ their businesses.
Members _____ the government have promised to help these businesses as much as _____ can.
