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South Korean activists are closer than ever to ending the dog meat trade, but there's still more to be done to see this cruelty become a relic of the past — especially as Boknal days approach, which are some of the deadliest for dogs. Join us in standing with South Koren activists working to end the dog meat trade by urging newly elected President Yoon Seok-yeol to officially ban it for good.

Even though most people in South Korea don't eat dog meat, the largest number are killed during Boknal days, or the three hottest days of summer in July and August determined by the lunar calendar. Thousands of dogs have been and will continue to be slaughtered for their meat, which is typically eaten in a soup known as bosintang, in part due to a long-held belief, particularly among older generations, that consuming it will cool their bodies and improve their health.

While there have been promising signs the dog meat trade's days are numbered, frustratingly there hasn't been any concrete action taken. Last year, former president Moon Jae-in ignited more debate after he stated that the “time has come to carefully consider imposing a dog meat ban.” A task force was also created to examine a possible ban, although its findings have been delayed, and newly elected President Yoon Seok-yeol, who took office this May, also campaigned on a pledge to ban dog meat if there was enough of a social consensus — and there is, with polls continuing to show the majority of South Koreans want the dog meat trade banned, especially as more and more people are welcoming dogs into their homes as companions.

Sadly, dogs will continue to languish in a legal gray area and be intensively farmed in deplorable conditions and killed for meat until a ban on slaughter and consumption is passed and enforced.

This alert is no longer active as South Korea's President has changed. Please sign our new alert here.