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The final "boknal," or hot day, of the summer in South Korea this year carries a sense of finality as the nation prepares for a complete ban on the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dogs for meat, set to take full effect in February 2027.

Moran Market in Seongnam, historically one of the country's most prominent centers for dog meat consumption, now presents a starkly different scene. While lunchtime crowds still fill the alleyways, many restaurants have pivoted to offering alternatives like black goat stew. Those few customers still ordering "bosintang," or dog meat stew, are predominantly elderly. Kim Yong-book, head of the Moran Market Merchants' Association, described the area, where he has worked for over 40 years, as having transformed from a bustling trade hub into "a town of old people."

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It's really desolate now. What was once a bustling trade hub has become 'a town of old people,'

The ban marks the culmination of a long decline in dog meat consumption, driven by increasing pet ownership and evolving societal views on animal welfare. A survey conducted before the law's passage revealed that over 90% of respondents had no intention of eating dog meat in the future, and more than 80% supported a ban. Government data indicates that over 5,600 businesses are affected by the legislation, with most dog farms already having closed in anticipation of the deadline.

The campaign for the ban gained significant traction under former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, an advocate for animal welfare. Parliament passed the legislation in January 2024, prohibiting the breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale of dogs for human consumption, with a three-year grace period. Violators face prison sentences and fines, and authorities have pledged support for affected businesses and farmers. Restaurant owner Lee Kang-chun, who has spent 37 years in the trade, expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the necessity of ending the practice for South Korea's global image while lamenting the difficulty for elderly patrons who rely on the dish for its perceived stamina-boosting properties.

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When I see elderly people come all this way and leave because there's no dog meat left, it nearly brings me to tears.