Related: Korea Weighs Allowing Pets in Restaurants, Stirring Debate Over Safety and Hygiene
South Korea is entering what many call the “10-million pet era,” with nearly one in four households now sharing their home with an animal companion. As this shift reshapes the country’s social landscape, the government is preparing a major policy change — one that could allow pets to enter restaurants and cafes starting in 2026.
The move is part of a broader push to reflect evolving lifestyles, but it has triggered sharp debate over hygiene, safety, and liability. Can Korea make pet-friendly dining work without compromising public health or peace of mind?
What’s Changing
Under current law, the Food Sanitation Act strictly prohibits animals from entering dining areas, requiring clear separation between where food is prepared and where animals stay. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) plans to amend that law, permitting pet entry into restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that meet specific facility and hygiene standards.
The change follows a “regulatory sandbox” pilot that began in April 2023, which allowed 228 establishments nationwide to admit pets under supervision. The results were mostly positive: sanitation was maintained, and satisfaction among business owners and pet owners was high.
The Concerns
The trial also exposed challenges that are likely to grow with expansion.
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Safety incidents: One reported dog-bite case due to leash mismanagement.
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Cleanliness and allergies: Some customers avoided pet-friendly venues over hair shedding and hygiene fears.
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Accountability gaps: No clear legal framework exists to determine responsibility if an accident occurs.
A 2024 Korea Consumer Agency inspection found lapses such as open kitchen doors, poor ventilation, and unmonitored pet movement in several participating restaurants.
Who’s Responsible If Something Goes Wrong?
That question remains unsettled. Should a dog bite or hygiene violation occur, would blame rest with the pet owner, the restaurant, or the government?
Critics argue that the MFDS has not yet defined enforcement mechanisms or oversight systems for hygiene inspections. Others warn that conflicts between pet owners and non-pet owners could intensify without mediation and consumer protection frameworks.
How Other Countries Handle It
Countries like the United States and Australia largely ban animals from indoor dining spaces, allowing them only in outdoor areas or under specific municipal regulations. Korea’s plan, in contrast, could extend to indoor areas — a bolder and riskier step that requires detailed preparation.
Why It Matters
As Korea’s pet culture deepens, the issue has moved beyond convenience to one of coexistence.
Balancing the rights and expectations of both pet owners and non-pet owners will determine whether the reform succeeds or backfires.
The National Assembly Research Service urged caution:
“Rather than rushing implementation, the government must examine every potential risk and establish concrete safeguards,” it said.
“Thoughtful policy design and social consensus are essential to creating spaces where both people and animals can coexist safely.”
At a glance:
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10 million pets in Korea (1 in 4 households)
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228 restaurants already testing pet access
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Law change planned for early 2026
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Concerns: hygiene, safety, liability, and consumer conflict
Bottom line:
Korea’s pet-friendly dining experiment isn’t just about dogs and cafes — it’s about how a society learns to share space in an era where animals are family.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
