Overview
- The ban on breeding, possession and bile extraction takes effect Jan. 1 under a revised wildlife law that allows prison terms of up to two to five years for violations.
- The Environment Ministry set a six-month window for current bear owners to keep animals without penalty while bile extraction remains punishable, with incentives to care for bears until sale and transfer.
- Officials say about 200 bears remain on 11 farms nationwide following years of decline in the industry.
- Animal welfare groups welcomed the decision but warn sanctuary capacity is inadequate, citing a Jeolla site listed by the government for up to 49 bears versus advocates’ preferred limit of 30 and a second facility postponed to 2027 after flooding.
- Compensation disputes with farmers persist, and some have sold bears at very low prices, though figures such as Dangjin farmer Kim KwangSoo say they will comply with the law.