The forthcoming ban on South Korea’s dog meat industry, set to come into effect in February 2027, marks a significant turning point in the country’s animal welfare landscape. This legislation follows a series of coordinated efforts by various animal rights organisations aimed at abolishing the practice in a society where dog meat has historically been consumed.
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Recently, more than 70 dogs were rescued from a meat farm in Gangjin, where they were due to be slaughtered. This operation was conducted by the group Humane World for Animals, which has become instrumental in the rescue of canines from similar facilities across South Korea. This particular rescue mission, carried out over the course of a week in September, is being hailed as a symbolic conclusion to a decade-long campaign against the dog meat trade.
Among the rescued animals are a variety of breeds, including Jindos, German shepherds, and several small breeds such as corgi mixes and husky mixes. About half of these dogs are en route to rehabilitation centres located in Washington, D.C., and Montreal, where they will begin their recovery and journey towards adoption. The remaining dogs, many of which are mothers with their puppies, are expected to travel once the puppies are old enough to fly in the new year.
The significance of this rescue is heightened by the imminent legal changes. In January 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly approved a groundbreaking law that outlaws the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs for human consumption. This legislation will come into force on February 7, 2027. As per the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, approximately 82% of registered dog meat farms in South Korea had ceased operation by May 2026, with only 272 farms still in business as the deadline approaches.
Sangkyung Lee, a campaign manager for Humane World for Animals Korea, expressed the profound impact of the rescue. “For more than a decade, our rescue teams have exposed the cruelties of dog meat farms while saving thousands of dogs,” he stated. He views the recent rescue as an essential closure to their long-standing mission against the trade. Lee added that the 70 dogs saved are among the last to escape this “dying industry,” and their journey to loving homes in other countries epitomises a successful outcome after years of advocacy.
The Gangjin farm, which had been flagged for violations earlier in the year, came under scrutiny after a public tip prompted intervention by local animal welfare groups. The 80-year-old farmer ultimately consented to relinquish the remaining dogs and agreed to exit the dog meat trade permanently.
As the 2027 ban looms, South Korea faces stiff penalties for violations of this law, which will include up to two years in prison and fines reaching roughly $20,637 for anyone involved in the dog meat industry. This drastic shift in policies reflects changing attitudes towards animal welfare in the country, as well as a growing public outcry against the consumption of dog meat.
Humane World for Animals highlights that the dogs rescued from the Gangjin farm represent a small fraction of those who have suffered in the dog meat trade. They report that a mere 0.3% of dogs from closed farms were saved, suggesting that the overwhelming majority have been sent to slaughter or relocated to other facilities.
The journey towards ending the dog meat industry in South Korea has been fraught with challenges, but as more farms close their doors and societal attitudes continue to shift, advocates remain hopeful that the 2027 legislation will signify a long-awaited victory for animal rights.
In summary, the impending ban on dog meat in South Korea is a pivotal development for both animals and advocates. The rescue of the Gangjin dogs underscores the continuing necessity of campaigns for animal welfare, even as the future of dog meat consumption in the country appears increasingly bleak. As the deadline approaches, the spotlight shines on the journey toward a more compassionate society where dogs are seen as companions rather than commodities.