Animal Welfare Issues in Korea
Illegal Puppy Mills
Illegal puppy mills are breeding facilities where the dogs are forced into a cycle of reproduction, producing puppies solely to benefit humans. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute, South Korea has 2,000 registered breeding facilities producing over 460,000 dogs each year. The puppies are often sold to pet shops, which are then bought by customers, ironically fueling the puppy mill industry. Recently, this problem was highlighted when approximately 1,400 dogs under horrific conditions were rescued from the Hwaseong, Gyeonggi puppy mill in September 2023.
Animal Abuse Punishments
According to the ministry, South Korea had 7,245 police reports of animal cruelty and 113,000 reports of abandoned or lost animals in 2023. Despite the public outrage, Korean courts frequently issue lenient sentences for abuse. In 2024, a soldier tortured a cat after it soiled his bedding, confining it inside a washing machine, yet he only got 1.5 million won in punishment. Koreans are highly demanding stronger punishments for animal abuse and are extremely opposing animal cruelty.
Dog meat Ban
The dog meat ban has been a controversial issue in Korea, and the South Korean government implemented a nationwide ban in 2024. The businesses have until February 2027 to shutter their operations and sell their remaining animals, yet many people point out the notable flaws. Approximately half a million freed dogs would face the threat of euthanasia or becoming lost and abandoned, with no help available from the overcrowded shelters, nor from the authorities. The aftermath of the dog meat ban law remains a time-restrictive problem to solve until 2027, before the law takes full effect.
Learn how to help
These are only a few of the animal welfare issues in Korea, and many more remain unsolved. Fortunately, due to the ongoing efforts of animal advocates, the stray animal population is steadily decreasing, and adoption rates are rising. However, more than 100,000 animals are still suffering from a shortage of help. Given this ongoing need, it is important to recognize that support for animals is not limited to direct volunteering or donations. Although helpful, these are often infeasible for minors due to age restrictions and financial limitations.
Click below to learn about the 5 alternative ways the students can support the animals in Korea.
