In South Korea, some savor last season of legal dog meat
For decades, the three days of summer considered the hottest of the year were among the busiest for South Korea's dog meat restaurants, as diners sought traditional stamina-boosting foods to endure the heat.
The final day of 2026 in South Korea marked the end of an era as the country moved to ban the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs for meat. The Moran Market in Seongnam, once the nation's largest hub for dog meat, saw dwindling crowds on the last day before the ban took effect in February 2027. The market, near Seoul, had experienced a long decline in dog meat consumption due to rising pet ownership and changing attitudes towards animal welfare.
In 2024, a survey found that over 90% of respondents had no intention of eating dog meat in the future, and more than 80% supported the ban. Government data showed that over 5,600 businesses were affected by the legislation, with most dog farms already closing ahead of the deadline. While the change evoked mixed emotions among restaurant owners, many continued to serve dog meat, largely driven by loyal customers in their 70s, 80s, and 90s who believed the dish offered health benefits.
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