South Korea bids farewell to dog meat in the "last days of heat" ahead of a 2027 ban

On August 14, 2026, Moran Market in Seongnam, South Korea, witnessed the last of the three hottest summer days before the nationwide ban on the breeding, slaughtering, and sale of dog meat takes effect in February 2027.

The parliament approved the law in January 2024 with broad support, imposing penalties and fines, amid a decline in dog meat consumption and a shift by restaurants to offer alternative dishes. For decades, the three hottest summer days in South Korea were among the busiest periods for restaurants serving dog meat, with customers flocking to them for traditional meals believed to enhance heat tolerance.

The third day of "Boknal," or the hottest days of 2026, fell on a Friday, adding a sense of finality as it marked the last day before the nationwide ban on breeding, slaughtering, and selling dogs for human consumption fully enters into force in February 2027.

In Moran Market in Seongnam, once one of the country’s most famous centers for the dog meat trade, the alleys filled with restaurants were crowded with patrons seeking lunch.

However, many restaurants have shifted their operations to serving black goat stew and other alternative dishes, while most of the few remaining customers ordering "bosintang," or dog meat soup, were elderly.

Kim Young-bok, head of the Moran Market Traders Association, who has worked in the area near Seoul for over 40 years, said, "The scene has become extremely bleak now."

He added, "What was once a vibrant commercial hub has turned into a town of the elderly."

The ban comes as the country has seen a steady decline in dog meat consumption rates in recent years, driven by shifting public opinion due to the growing popularity of pet ownership and changing attitudes toward animal welfare.

A poll conducted before the law’s passage in 2024 showed that more than 90 percent of the 2,000 participants said they did not intend to eat dog meat in the future, while over 80 percent supported the ban. Approximately 95 percent reported that they had not consumed dog meat during the previous year.

Government data indicated that the legislation affected more than 5,600 commercial establishments, with officials stating that most dog farms had already closed ahead of the deadline set for next year.

In January 2024, the parliament passed a law banning the breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and sale of dogs for human consumption, effectively outlawing this centuries-old controversial practice amid growing support for animal care.

The bill, proposed by the ruling party, was approved by a vote of 208 in favor, with two members abstaining, in the unicameral parliament, after receiving approval from a bipartisan agricultural committee. The law provides a three-year grace period, with full implementation beginning in February 2027. Violators face penalties including imprisonment and fines; those who breach the law can be sentenced to up to three years in prison or fined 30 million won (approximately $22,800).