PHOTO COLLECTION: Religion Pope Francis Visits Luxembourg

News

PHOTO COLLECTION: Religion Pope Francis Visits Luxembourg

2024-09-27 10:49 Last Updated At：10:51

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Click to Gallery

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, right leave in a popemobile the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg after a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Pope Francis is received by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden, left, as he arrives at the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg for a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of his four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Peopel wait for Pope Francis at the end of his meeting with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis listens to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, second form right, and by the Prime Minister Luc Friede attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis poses for a picture with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, left, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, right, Prince Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie, background right, his wife Countess Stephanie de Lannoy, background left, with their children during his visit at the Grand Ducal Palace, in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis, flanked by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Friede, meets with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis meets the Catholic Community in the Luxembourg's Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, left, leave in a popemobile the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg after a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis is welcomed by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, and Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, right, at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis waves at a cheering crowd as he leaves with Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, left, in a popemobile the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg after a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis, flanked by security, tours Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, right, tour Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

More Images

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Pope Francis is received by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden, left, as he arrives at the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg for a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of his four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Peopel wait for Pope Francis at the end of his meeting with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis listens to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, second form right, and by the Prime Minister Luc Friede attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis poses for a picture with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, left, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, right, Prince Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie, background right, his wife Countess Stephanie de Lannoy, background left, with their children during his visit at the Grand Ducal Palace, in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis, flanked by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Friede, meets with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis meets the Catholic Community in the Luxembourg's Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, left, leave in a popemobile the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg after a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis is welcomed by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, and Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, right, at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis waves at a cheering crowd as he leaves with Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, left, in a popemobile the Cercle-Cite convention center in Luxembourg after a meeting with the national authorities and the civil society on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis, flanked by security, tours Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, right, tour Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

South Korea sets a compensation plan for dog meat farmers before the 2027 ban

2024-09-27 10:47 Last Updated At：10:50

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea announced plans Thursday to compensate farmers and others in the country's dwindling dog meat industry before a formal ban goes into effect in 2027, a move that is drawing opposition from both farmers and some animal rights activists.

South Korea’s parliament passed a landmark bill in January that will ban slaughtering, breeding or selling dog meat for human consumption after a three-year grace period. It will be punishable by 2-3 years in prison.

The Agriculture Ministry said that farmers would receive compensation starting from 225,000 won ($170), and rising up to 600,000 won ($450) per dog if they agree to shut down their businesses early.

An association of farmers rejected the offer, saying in a statement that they cannot relinquish their dogs for such low prices. Farmers earlier called for 2 million won ($1,505) per dog. They’ve said the ban infringes on their right to choose their own jobs and will aggravate their economic difficulties.

The association said that farmers will keep fighting even if they end up being jailed. Earlier in the week, they called for the law to be amended to extend the grace period and add appropriate compensation plans.

Sangkyung Lee, a campaign manager at the Korean office of the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International, called the South Korean announcement “an important milestone in this historic ban that will see the ban through to completion and end our country’s dog meat era for good.”

But Lee said his office is disappointed at the South Korean plan because it would pay farmers based on the number of dogs they have, “potentially increasing dog breeding to get more money from the scheme and more puppies being born into suffering.”

The Korean Animal Welfare Association, a Seoul-based animal rights group, said that local governments must strictly monitor farms to prevent them from increasing their number of dogs through breeding. It praised the government for trying to take reasonable steps to phase out the industry but criticized farmers for seeking excessive compensation.

Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula. It's also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and some African countries. But South Korea’s dog meat industry has drawn more attention because of the country’s reputation as a cultural and economic powerhouse. It’s also the only nation with industrial-scale dog farms.

South Korea’s anti-dog meat campaign received a big boost from the country’s first lady, Kim Keon Hee, who repeatedly expressed her support for a prohibition. She was subjected to withering criticism and crude insults during demonstrations by farmers.

Surveys have found that around one in three South Koreans opposes the ban, though most people now don’t eat dog meat.

Vice Agriculture Minister Park Beomsu told reporters that government studies found that about 466,000 dogs are currently being raised for food across South Korea. He said officials will try to convince farmers to voluntarily phase out dog breeding ahead of the ban.

After the ban comes into force, Park said, the government plans to facilitate adoptions for the remaining dogs or move them to care facilities rather than euthanize them.

The agriculture ministry said butchers will also be compensated, while local authorities will be responsible for dismantling dog farms and slaughterhouses. Former farmers and butchers will also get low-interests loans if they pivot to other agricultural businesses.

The ministry said authorities will also offer financial assistance to traders and restaurant owners to shut down their businesses and find new jobs.

PHOTO COLLECTION: Religion Pope Francis Visits Luxembourg

News

PHOTO COLLECTION: Religion Pope Francis Visits Luxembourg

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Peopel wait for Pope Francis at the end of his meeting with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis listens to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, second form right, and by the Prime Minister Luc Friede attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, second form right, and by the Prime Minister Luc Friede attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis, flanked by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Friede, meets with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis meets the Catholic Community in the Luxembourg's Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis meets the Catholic Community in the Luxembourg's Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis is welcomed by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, and Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, right, at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis, flanked by security, tours Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, right, tour Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Peopel wait for Pope Francis at the end of his meeting with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis listens to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, second form right, and by the Prime Minister Luc Friede attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis flanked by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, second form right, and by the Prime Minister Luc Friede attends the welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Findel International Airport in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis, flanked by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Friede, meets with local authorities, the civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis meets the Catholic Community in the Luxembourg's Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis meets the Catholic Community in the Luxembourg's Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis is welcomed by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, left, and Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, right, at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Pope Francis, flanked by security, tours Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Pope Francis and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, right, tour Place de Metz in Luxembourg on the first day of Francis's four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Next Article

South Korea sets a compensation plan for dog meat farmers before the 2027 ban

PHOTO COLLECTION: Hurricane Helene

Tropical Weather Latest: Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida

Naomi Campbell barred from being charity trustee in England and Wales

Alabama puts man convicted of killing 3 to death in the country’s second nitrogen gas execution

Venezuelans crossing the Darien Gap say they lost hope after July’s election

PHOTO COLLECTION: Eric Adams Investigation

Top climate negotiators urge tougher targets, but outsiders say they aren’t cutting back themselves