Nearly three years after South Korea approved a national ban on dog meat, about 7,600 dogs remain confined at meat farms across the country.
Animal-rights organizations are now racing to rescue the animals before they can be slaughtered and sold for human consumption.
When Seoul approved the ban after years of pressure from both South Korean advocates and international groups, approximately 468,000 dogs were being kept at 1,537 meat farms, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The number of operating facilities has since fallen, but 198 dog farms remain open. The government has pledged to end the industry entirely by Feb. 7, 2027, the Korea Times reported.
“The end of dog meat consumption marks a crucial turning point that will elevate our society’s animal welfare standards to the next level,” said Lee Yong-jik, director general of the ministry’s Animal Welfare Policy Bureau.
Officials are encouraging the remaining businesses to shut down before the ban takes effect. Inspectors are expected to visit every facility during the final two months of the year.
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The ministry warned that any farm found secretly adding more dogs or allowing the animals to continue breeding could be ordered to close immediately.
After the ban takes effect, anyone who farms, slaughters or sells dog meat for human consumption in South Korea could receive a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine exceeding $20,000.
Officials have acknowledged, however, that roughly 7,600 dogs will still require care once the ban is implemented. The national government is asking local municipalities to help provide support for the animals.
“We will closely monitor on-site operations to ensure the smooth closure of the remaining farms and make thorough preparations to address the issue of the remaining dogs after the ban takes effect,” Lee said.
As more dog farms close, animal-rights groups are continuing efforts to remove the remaining dogs from the facilities and place them in safety.
Last month, Humane World for Animals said it rescued more than 70 dogs from a closing meat farm in Gangjin. The organization described the operation as likely its final large-scale rescue inside South Korea.
“These dogs are among the very last few to suffer in this dying industry and sending them to the USA and Canada to start new lives in loving families feels like the perfect closing chapter to our 10-year mission as South Korea embarks on a new relationship with dogs in which they are friends not food,” said Sangkyung Lee, the group’s Korea campaign manager.
