In Korea, some savour last season of legal dog meat

In Korea, the final days of the traditional summer season have taken on a somber tone as the national ban on dog meat consumption takes effect. For decades, the hottest three days of the year, known as boknal, were a prime time for dog meat restaurants in South Korea, as diners sought out traditional dishes to boost their stamina against the heat.

However, the third boknal of 2026 on Friday marked a significant milestone, being the last before the nationwide ban on breeding, slaughtering, and selling dogs for meat comes into full effect in February 2027.

The Moran Market in Seongnam, once the country's most renowned hub for dog meat, saw lunchtime crowds filling the alleyways lined with restaurants during the last days of consumption. Yet, many of these businesses have transitioned to serving black goat stew and other alternatives, while the few customers who still order bosintang, or dog meat stew, are predominantly elderly individuals.

Kim Yong-book, head of the Moran Market Merchants Association, who has been working in the area near Seoul for over 40 years, lamented the desolation that has replaced the once bustling trade hub. "It's really desolate now," he said. "What was once a bustling trade hub has become a town of old people." The ban on dog meat consumption is the culmination of a long decline, driven by rising pet ownership and changing attitudes toward the practice.