Korea’s Push for Pet-Friendly Restaurants Raises Questions of Responsibility (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea embraces an era of 10 million companion animals, the government is moving to allow pets inside restaurants and cafes — a proposal that has sparked both enthusiasm and concern over hygiene, safety, and social friction.
Under current food sanitation laws, animals are prohibited from entering dining establishments, which must keep food preparation and animal spaces strictly separated. But the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is preparing to revise the law by early 2026 to permit pet access to restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that meet specific facility and hygiene standards.
Since April 2023, the government has been testing the policy through a regulatory sandbox program, allowing 228 establishments as of February 2025 to admit pets under controlled conditions. The pilot found generally good hygiene and high satisfaction levels among both business owners and pet owners.
Still, the trials have also exposed potential problems. One dog-bite incident occurred due to poor leash management, while some customers avoided pet-friendly venues over allergy and cleanliness concerns. A 2024 consumer watchdog report also found hygiene lapses at several pet-access restaurants, including open kitchen doors and poor ventilation.
Critics say the government’s plans lack clarity on key issues such as liability in the event of animal-related accidents. “If a dog bites someone in a restaurant, who is responsible — the pet owner, the restaurant, or the government?” one industry observer asked. Oversight and inspection procedures for safety and hygiene standards also remain undefined.
Other countries have taken a cautious approach. The United States and Australia, for instance, generally prohibit animals indoors but allow them in outdoor dining areas under strict regulations.
The Korea National Assembly Research Service urged policymakers to proceed carefully. “Rather than rushing implementation, the government should examine all potential risks and establish concrete safeguards,” it said in a report. “Thoughtful policy design and broad social consensus are essential to creating spaces where both people and animals can coexist comfortably.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
