South Korea to Ban Dog Meat by 2027, Offers Compensation to Farmers

The government will provide financial incentives and facilitate adoptions to manage the transition from the centuries-old practice.

South Korea's parliament passed a bill in January 2024 to ban the eating, selling, and breeding of dogs for meat, effective February 2027.
The government has allocated 100 billion won ($75 million) to support dog farmers, breeders, and restaurants in transitioning away from the dog meat industry.
Farmers can receive up to 600,000 won ($452) per dog surrendered, but some industry representatives argue this is insufficient and have called for more substantial compensation.
Authorities aim to rehome nearly half a million dogs through adoptions and shelters, though concerns remain about the capacity of animal shelters to handle the influx.
The ban has garnered significant support from President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, but faces opposition from both animal rights activists and the dog meat industry.