South Korea’s dog meat ban leaves hundreds of thousands of dogs in limbo—will they find homes or languish in uncertainty?
At a Glance
- South Korea’s National Assembly passed a historic ban on the dog meat industry in January 2024.
- The law, which takes full effect in 2027 after a three-year phase-out, is backed by overwhelming public support.
- Major challenges include providing for the roughly 500,000 dogs still on farms and compensating farmers who call the government’s plan inadequate.
- Animal welfare groups and the government are now grappling with the enormous logistical task of the industry’s transition.
A Landmark Decision in South Korea
In a historic legislative move, South Korea’s National Assembly voted in January 2024 to ban the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs for human consumption. The law includes a three-year phase-out period, with the ban taking full effect in 2027. Those who violate the law will face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (approx. $22,000).
The decision reflects a dramatic cultural shift. According to recent polls, an overwhelming majority of South Koreans do not eat dog meat and support the ban. “This is history in the making,” said JungAh Chae, director of Humane Society International/Korea, in a statement. “I never thought I would see in my lifetime a ban on the cruel dog meat industry in South Korea, but this historic win for animals is testament to the passion and determination of our animal protection movement.”
The Unspoken Challenge: Rehoming the Dogs
While the law is a landmark victory for animal rights, it creates an urgent and massive logistical challenge: what to do with the estimated 500,000 dogs still living on meat farms. As reported by the BBC, animal welfare groups and the government are now grappling with how to prevent these dogs from being abandoned or euthanized.
The rehoming process is fraught with difficulty. Shelters lack the capacity for such a large influx of animals, and there is a social stigma against adopting “meat dogs.” Many of the dogs are large Tosa-inu mixes, a breed that is less popular for pets in South Korea’s urban apartment culture. “Although the dog meat ban has passed, both the government and civic groups are still grappling with how to rescue the remaining dogs,” said Lee Sangkyung of Humane Society International/Korea.
An Industry in Turmoil
The ban has thrown the lives of the country’s dog meat farmers into turmoil. The government has offered a compensation package to help farmers transition to new livelihoods, but the industry has rejected it as wholly inadequate. Farmers argue that the compensation—reportedly between $170 to $450 per dog—does not come close to covering their losses and the cost of closing their businesses.
“People are suffering,” one farmer, identified as Mr. Joo, told the BBC. “We’re drowning in debt, can’t pay it off, and some can’t even… find new work. It’s a hopeless situation.” The standoff over compensation remains one of the biggest hurdles to a smooth transition.
The Path Forward
The success of South Korea’s transition away from the dog meat trade now hinges on resolving these complex issues. It will require a concerted effort from the government, animal welfare NGOs, and civil society to provide humane outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of dogs caught in the middle, while also ensuring there are viable solutions for the farmers whose livelihoods have been outlawed. The world is watching to see how South Korea navigates this pivotal moment in its cultural and ethical evolution.
