South Korea is preparing to completely phase out dog meat by 2027
South Korea is preparing to put an end to the long-standing practice of consuming dog meat by tightening controls on farms ahead of a complete ban set to take effect in 2027. Authorities are already closing down farms en masse and forcing the rest to wind down their operations under the supervision of inspectors, reports The Kookje Daily News.
South Korea is finalizing preparations for a complete ban on the consumption of dog meat, which is set to officially take effect in February 2027, and the government is now shifting to strict oversight of the remaining operations in this industry, gradually phasing it out through audits, inspections, and financial incentives for farm closures.
The Ministry of Forestry, Livestock, and Food emphasizes that inspections will only intensify in the coming months, as the government aims not merely to formally shut down the business but to completely prevent its revival. “From June through August, the authorities will intensify inspections of remaining farms and encourage their early closure,” the ministry’s statement reads, specifically emphasizing the need to prevent any attempts at illegally resuming operations after the ban.
According to official data, as of May, there were still 272 such farms in the country, while 1,265 had already ceased operations, which effectively means the elimination of about 82% of the industry; however, the government acknowledges that some large farms still require additional monitoring and document inspections.
Authorities also plan to inspect even closed facilities to ensure that operations are not resuming there, and violations will result in fines and the repayment of state aid that farmers received for winding down their businesses. Starting in September, the government promises to move to stricter enforcement measures, including official orders for forced closure for those who fail to comply, while simultaneously launching support programs to help farmers transition to other types of activities.
Authorities emphasize that the ultimate goal of this reform is not only to eliminate the industry but also to change society’s attitude toward animal welfare, which is intended to be a long-term shift in Korean consumer culture.
On Friday, May 15, the South Korean destroyer ROKS Wang Geon will depart from the naval base in Busan to carry out an international mission off the coast of Somalia. The ship will join operations to combat piracy and ensure the safety of shipping in the Gulf of Aden.
Turkey has begun exploration work to search for hydrocarbon deposits in waters near the Somali coast.
As a reminder, in the first four months of 2026, the European Union purchased record volumes of gas from Russia’s Yamal LNG project, spending nearly €4 billion on it.
Ukraine is preparing to expand natural gas imports from Poland as part of a new joint project. Regulators from both countries have already approved the relevant decisions, which are expected to strengthen energy cooperation.
