“Do Koreans still eat dogs?”
This question appears often online, and the answer requires context. Yes — dog meat existed historically in Korea, but modern Korean society has changed dramatically. Today, dog consumption has declined sharply, especially among younger generations, and new laws are rapidly bringing the practice to an official end.
To understand how we got here, it’s helpful to look at three phases: the past, the social changes since the 1980s, and what is happening now with Korea’s dog-meat ban.
1. Why did dog-eating become part of Korean culture in the past?
Historically, Korea was an agricultural society that experienced frequent food shortages. Meat was not always easy to access, and refrigeration technology did not exist.
In this context, dog meat became:
- A supplementary protein source during scarce seasons
- A dish associated with strength, stamina, and “restoring energy” especially during hot and humid summer seasons
- A product raised locally in rural areas
Unlike in some Western cultures, dogs historically had different roles — working animals, guards, and livestock — and not only as household companions.
So yes, in earlier decades, dog meat existed as part of daily survival culture in certain regions, particularly among older male communities.
2. After the 1980s, everything changed: food abundance and the rise of pets
From the 1980s onward, Korea underwent rapid economic growth. At the same time, society changed in three fundamental ways.
First, other meats became widely available — pork, chicken, and beef became affordable everyday foods. There was simply no practical need for dog meat anymore.
Second, urbanization shifted social life. More people lived in apartments, fewer lived on farms, and dogs increasingly moved indoors — as companions, not livestock.
Third, pet culture spread quickly. Veterinarians, pet cafés, grooming shops, and adoption awareness grew. Young people now speak of dogs as “family members.”
As a result, consumption declined steadily. Surveys consistently show:
- Younger Koreans rarely — or never — eat dog meat
- Many view it as outdated, uncomfortable, or ethically unacceptable
In modern Korea, especially among people in their 20s and 30s, dogs are overwhelmingly seen as pets, companions, and emotional partners — not food.
3. The dog-meat ban: how fast the industry is disappearing today
The final phase is happening right now.
Korea enacted the Special Act on Ending Dog Meat Consumption (“개식용종식법”), designed to phase out breeding, slaughter, and distribution of dogs for food. Since the law began, closures have accelerated far faster than expected.
According to government data:
- Since implementation, 78% of dog-breeding farms have already closed by the end of 2025
- Over 390,000 dogs formerly raised for meat are no longer in farms
- Farms originally scheduled to close in 2026–2027 shut down early because of incentives and shifting public attitudes
The government is:
- Providing compensation and transition loans
- Helping farmers move to other livestock businesses
- Preventing farms from restarting operations
If current trends continue, authorities expect complete termination by February 2027 — ahead of schedule.
In short: the industry is vanishing rapidly, not expanding.
Final answer: So… do Koreans still eat dogs?
Here is the clearest way to summarize:
- Historically: yes, dog meat existed, influenced by scarcity and tradition.
- Since the 1980s: consumption declined sharply as Korea modernized, pet culture spread, and alternative foods became common.
- Today: the practice is nearly gone, especially among younger generations, and new laws are actively bringing it to a rapid end.
Most Koreans — especially younger people — now see dogs as companions, family members, and pets, not food. The remaining businesses tied to dog meat are closing, supported by transition programs and driven by changing social values.
So, when someone asks, “Do Koreans still eat dogs?” the honest answer is:
Korea once had a dog-eating tradition, but modern Korean society has largely moved past it — and the practice is now disappearing for good.
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