South Korea Bans Dog Meat Breeding and Sale
· news
South Korea’s Dog Meat Restaurants Face Their Final ‘Dog Days’
South Korea’s decision to ban dog meat breeding, slaughter, and sale from February 2027 marks a significant turning point in the country’s complex relationship with canine consumption. The government has offered compensation to farmers and support programs to help them transition out of the industry.
Longtime vendors like Lee Deok-sung, who has run a dog meat stew restaurant near Seoul’s Dongdaemun Market for 45 years, face an uncertain future as business dwindles. They are struggling to adapt to changing attitudes towards dogs. What was once a staple of traditional Korean cuisine is now increasingly seen as a relic of the past.
Historical records suggest that dog meat consumption in South Korea dates back to at least the Joseon Dynasty. Royal physician Heo Jun’s 17th-century medical text described dog meat as a warming food believed to replenish energy and vitality. The practice became more widespread during Japan’s colonial rule from 1910 to 1945 and in the aftermath of the Korean War, when poverty and food shortages drove many to seek inexpensive sources of protein.
Today, while South Korea has largely fallen out of favor with dog meat consumption, the practice continues in other parts of Asia. Indonesia, for instance, has no nationwide ban on the dog meat trade, but its capital Jakarta prohibited the sale and consumption of dog meat in November 2025 as part of a broader effort to address animal welfare concerns.
The impact of South Korea’s ban will be felt beyond the country’s borders. With over 80% of dog meat farms already closed, many rescued dogs have been sent overseas for adoption. According to Humane World for Animals, which has helped rescue some 2,800 dogs from such farms and send them to the US, UK, and Canada for adoption, DeeJay, a rescued Labrador puppy, is the only member of his litter to remain in South Korea.
Lee Deok-sung and other dog meat vendors are concerned about their future. While they have attempted to offer alternatives like black goat stew with limited success, many are barely making ends meet now. “I am barely making ends meet now,” Lee said. “I don’t know what will happen to me when the ban kicks in next year.”
The government’s support programs may not be enough to mitigate the impact of the ban on those who have made a living from dog meat for decades. It is essential that the country also addresses the welfare concerns of those affected by the ban.
As South Korea embarks on this new chapter, the road ahead will be complex, and the full implications of the ban are yet to be seen. However, one thing is clear: South Korea’s decision to ban dog meat breeding, slaughter, and sale marks a significant shift in attitudes towards canine consumption. It is up to the country to ensure that those affected by this change receive the support they need.
As the last “dog days” of summer come to a close, Lee Deok-sung and other vendors are holding on to hope. But it’s clear that South Korea’s relationship with canine consumption will never be the same again.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
While lauding South Korea's ban on dog meat breeding and sale, let's not forget that many of these farmers have seen their livelihoods torn apart with little to no government support beyond compensation for abandoning a centuries-old industry. The promised "support programs" seem woefully inadequate given the scale of this transition. As the number of rescued dogs sent overseas continues to grow, so too will concerns over the long-term sustainability and accountability of these international adoption efforts.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
This ban marks a watershed moment in South Korea's shift away from its complicated culinary past. However, it also raises questions about the long-term fate of dog meat farmers who are being forced to adapt to changing consumer attitudes. While compensation and support programs are being offered, it's unclear whether these measures will be enough to help them transition out of an industry that has been a staple for generations. Can we expect the same level of support for farmers in Indonesia or other countries where dog meat consumption persists?
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
While South Korea's ban on dog meat breeding and sale marks a significant step forward in animal welfare, its implementation raises concerns about the industry's remaining farmers. Without adequate support programs, those transitioning out of the trade risk falling into poverty themselves. The article touches on compensation for farmers but glosses over potential consequences for rural communities where dog farming has long been a mainstay. We must ensure that this shift does not inadvertently create more problems than it solves, particularly in regions where alternatives to dog meat are scarce.