By May 2026, 82% of South Korea’s registered dog-meat farms had closed

South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported on 15 May 2026 that 1,265 of the country’s 1,537 registered dog-meat farms had closed. The closed farms represented 82% of the registered total, leaving 272 in operation on the reporting date. The closures are taking place ahead of the full prohibition scheduled for 7 February 2027 under the Act on the End of Breeding, Slaughter and Distribution of Dogs for Human Consumption.

The closure rate shows how quickly the law is being implemented, but it is not a complete measure of animal welfare. When a farm closes, its dogs may be transferred, sold, surrendered, rehomed or held during an approved transition. The total does not show how many dogs were affected, where each one went or whether suitable long-term care was secured.

What the legal transition covers

The Act established a transition period rather than an immediate shutdown. Registered operators must follow their closure plans, while government measures include support and monitoring. Once the prohibition is fully in force, the Act will prohibit breeding, slaughtering, distributing and selling dogs for human consumption.

The timetable matters to enforcement agencies and to organisations that may receive animals. A rapid closure without enough assessment, transport, quarantine, veterinary care, foster capacity or sanctuary space can move the risk elsewhere instead of resolving it.

What welfare reporting still needs to show

• The number of dogs remaining on registered farms, not only the number of farms still open.
• A documented destination for animals when an operation closes.
• Capacity for veterinary assessment, identification, vaccination and sterilisation.
• Funding and oversight for shelters, sanctuaries, foster networks and adoption programmes.
• Enforcement against unregistered operations or businesses that move elsewhere.

A transferred dog should not automatically be counted as a successful adoption. Responsible rehoming includes behavioural assessment, a safe placement, support for the new household and follow-up. Some dogs will need specialist or lifelong care. International transfers also require careful health and welfare planning.

How to support the transition responsibly

Look for organisations that publish current animal counts, explain how placements are assessed and report outcomes after intake. Before donating, verify the organisation’s identity, donation channels, veterinary partnerships and evidence of work. Be wary of campaigns that push for hurried adoptions or cross-border transport without documented safeguards.

The May figures show a fast-moving industry transition. A fuller measure of success will combine compliance with the law and transparent outcomes for the individual animals affected.

This article summarises official information for general awareness. It is not legal or veterinary advice, and the figures may change after the cited reporting date.