South Korean animal protection legislative updates

South Korea has implemented new measures to enhance animal welfare and regulation. Initially, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs launched a voluntary pet registration period through October 31, 2026, to encourage responsible pet ownership and prevent animal loss or abandonment. During this period, owners could update registration details without facing fines.

Following these administrative efforts, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Animal Protection Act. This legislation introduces stricter penalties for animal abusers, allowing courts to ban convicted individuals from owning or caring for animals for one to five years. Violations of these bans can lead to imprisonment or significant fines, with animal ownership being transferred to local governments.

The legal updates also address the care of retired service animals, such as military and rescue dogs, by providing state support for their medical treatment and adoption. Furthermore, the amendment introduces penalties for neglect and prohibits animal-related businesses from using misleading names that imply they are protection facilities.