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South Korea bans dog meat after 400,000 animals vanish

Where are they? Dogs disappear before South Korea meat ban400,000 dogs vanished before South Korea's meat ban. Where did hundreds of thousands of dogs go?

South Korea banned dog meat consumption on June 28, 2026, after 400,000 dogs disappeared in the country's signature slaughter industry. The ban follows findings from abandoned slaughterhouses in Pyeongtaek where evidence of animal cruelty was uncovered.

This policy shift matters as it addresses long-standing animal welfare concerns and sets a precedent for regional meat regulations.

  • Dog meat was historically consumed in South Korea during summer for purported health benefits.
  • The animal welfare group KARA has campaigned against dog slaughter for over a decade.
  • South Korea is the first Asian nation to implement a nationwide ban on dog meat consumption.
South Korea bans dog meat after 400,000 animals vanish | Implica