The reverend turned dog farmer, Joo Yeong-bong, faces a dim future in the meat industry as South Korea implements a nationwide dog meat ban. The law, which takes full effect in February 2027, has left farmers in distress. "We've seen no buyers since last summer," he said, highlighting the bleak outlook for their once-thriving business. Laws without concrete solutions have left nearly half a million dogs on farms vulnerable and under threat of euthanasia.
Farmers like Chan-woo are in dire circumstances as they scramble to find homes for their dogs before penalties loom. “I can’t process them all in time,” he admits, expressing frustration over a lack of solid plans for the dogs left behind. While authorities claim they will assume responsibility and manage shelters, the rehoming of these dogs is proving difficult due to size preferences and social stigma.
As adoption struggles rise, rescue organizations are overwhelmed, suggesting that euthanasia might become the only solution for many of these dogs. “It’s devastating hearing that the very groups advocating for animals can't even save them,” laments Chan-woo.
Some farmers are seeking alternate solutions by sending dogs abroad for adoption in Canada and the U.S. "It was incredible to see how rescuers handled the animals with such care,” said former farmer Yang Jong-tae, who still disapproves of the ban, questioning the inconsistency of dietary laws across animal species.
Despite the cultural shift with declining dog meat consumption, farmers worry about an uncertain future. Joo reflects on the emotional toll as he hears his peers despair about their livelihoods. “The industry being pulled out from under them is like watching lives unravel,” he says. As 2027 approaches, calls for an extension to the grace period rise—hopes of a gradual transition for the farmers and their dogs hang in the balance.
