For decades, the three hottest summer days in South Korea were among the busiest periods for dog meat restaurants, as customers flocked to enjoy traditional dishes believed to help them withstand the heat.
The third day of “Boknal,” the traditional summer heat period, fell on Friday in 2026 and carried additional significance as the last before the national ban on breeding, slaughtering, and selling dogs for human consumption fully takes effect in February 2027.
At Moran Market in Seongnam, one of the country’s most famous dog meat trading centers, restaurant-filled alleys were crowded with patrons eager for lunch.
However, many restaurants have shifted to serving black goat stew and other alternative dishes, as most of the few remaining customers ordering “bosintang,” or dog meat soup, are elderly.
Kim Young-bok, head of the Moran Market Traders Association, who has worked in the area near Seoul for more than 40 years, said, “The scene has become very grim now,” adding that what was once a bustling commercial center has turned into a “town of old people.”
The ban comes amid a long-standing decline in dog meat consumption in the country, driven by growing pet ownership and changing attitudes toward animal welfare.
A survey published before the law was passed in 2024 showed that more than 90 percent of 2,000 participants said they did not intend to eat dog meat in the future, while more than 80 percent supported the ban. About 95 percent reported that they had not consumed dog meat in the previous year.
Government data showed that the legislation affected more than 5,600 commercial establishments, with officials saying that most dog farms had already closed ahead of the final deadline next year.
The campaign to end the dog meat trade gained momentum under former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, former First Lady Kim Kun-hee, who advocated for animal rights and publicly supported the ban.
In January 2024, parliament passed a law banning the breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and selling of dogs for human consumption.
The law granted a three-year grace period, with full implementation beginning in February 2027. Penalties for violations include imprisonment and fines, while authorities have pledged to support affected breeders, distributors, and restaurant owners.
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, former First Lady Kim Kun-hee
For Lee Kang-chun, a restaurant owner and former head of the traders’ association who spent 37 years in the profession, the transformation evokes mixed emotions.
Lee said he believes ending dog meat consumption is the right decision for South Korea’s global image and changing social attitudes. Yet he could not hide his sadness when talking about his customers, many of whom are in their seventies, eighties, and nineties and travel long distances for a meal they believe gives them strength.
“When I see elderly people coming from far away and then leaving because dog meat is no longer available, I am almost brought to tears,” Lee said.
The market is among the last places near Seoul still offering dog meat.
Lee said authorities should make greater efforts to help elderly vendors transition to new businesses.
Many of Moran Market’s restaurants have switched to serving black goat stew, which is marketed as another traditional food believed to enhance health. However, restaurant owners say the transition has been difficult and has not fully compensated for the loss of dog meat sales.
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