SEOUL — South Korea is set to end the operation of dog meat farms and restaurants with a new ban coming into full effect in February 2027, marking a significant shift in the country’s longstanding cultural practices.

The legislation, passed in January 2024 after years of discussion and public debate, prohibits the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs for meat. The government allowed farmers a three-year transition period to wind down their businesses, providing financial compensation and support as incentives to comply.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, over 80 percent of the estimated 1,500 dog meat farms had already ceased operations as of May 2026, leaving fewer than 300 farms still active nationwide. To encourage farmers to discontinue their activities ahead of the deadline, authorities have offered compensation of up to 600,000 won (approximately S$545) per dog, alongside low-interest loans, job transition assistance, and re-employment counseling programs.

The dog meat industry’s decline is also reflected at the retail level. While official data on restaurant closures is unavailable, restaurant owners and meat vendors report that business has shrunk to about one-third of previous levels since the ban was announced. Remaining establishments, such as two dog meat stew restaurants in Seoul’s Dongdaemun Market, are among the few still operating in a market where attitudes toward dogs have shifted considerably. Dogs are increasingly perceived as companions and family members rather than livestock, underscoring changing social norms.

Individual stories highlight this transformation. Annie Ko, a 45-year-old South Korean musician, adopted DeeJay, a rescued Labrador puppy, after finding him trembling on a dog meat farm near Wonju, about two hours from Seoul. Ko, who had never owned a pet before, worked as an interpreter for the non-profit Humane World for Animals, which has helped rescue roughly 2,800 dogs from meat farms and arrange their adoption overseas. DeeJay is among the few rescued pups to remain in South Korea, where had he not been saved, he would likely have been slaughtered for meat.

The ban represents a significant moment in South Korea’s evolving relationship with dogs and marks a decisive step toward the eradication of the dog meat industry, which has long faced criticism both domestically and internationally. The government’s multi-pronged approach, combining legislation, financial incentives, and support for affected workers, aims to facilitate a smooth transition away from the practice by early 2027.