After a three-year grace period, the bill would make slaughtering, breeding, and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027 and punishable by 2-3 years in prison.

It doesn't provide any penalties for eating dog meat.

Dog meat consumption, a centuries-old practise on the Korean Peninsula, is neither explicitly banned nor legalised in South Korea.

It has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days.

Recent surveys show more than half of South Koreans want dog meat banned and a majority no longer eat it.

But one in every three South Koreans still opposes a ban even though they don't consume it.

The National Assembly passed the bill by a 208-0 vote. It will become law after being endorsed by the Cabinet Council and signed by President Yoon Suk Yeol, considered formalities since his government supports the ban.

“This law is aimed at contributing to realising the values of animal rights, which pursue respect for life and a harmonious co-existence between humans and animals,” the legislation says.

The bill offers assistance to dog farmers and others in the industry in shutting down their businesses and shifting to alternatives.

Details are to be worked out among government officials, farmers, experts, and animal rights activists.