South Korea has announced that it will officially end bear farming for bile extraction this week, a practice that has faced increasing criticism but is still ongoing in the country. Starting January 1st, bear breeding, keeping, and bile extraction will be prohibited, in accordance with a strengthened animal protection law.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment stated that offenders will face prison sentences of up to two to five years. South Korea is one of the few countries that still permits the hunting of bears, primarily Asiatic black bears, also known as "moon bears," for their bile, used in traditional medicine or as a dietary supplement believed to boost vitality.
However, this practice has declined sharply over the past twenty years, due to growing doubts about its medical benefits, the emergence of less expensive alternatives and an increased awareness of the cruelty inflicted on animals.
The ban is part of an agreement reached in 2022 between the authorities, breeders and animal welfare organizations, providing for the definitive end of bear farming from 2026. In this context, the associations are gradually buying the animals from the breeders, while the State has committed to creating structures to house them.
This year, 21 bears have already been transferred to a public sanctuary in South Jeolla province. However, approximately 199 bears remain in captivity on 11 ranches across the country, while disagreements persist over the amount of compensation to be paid to ranchers. The government has granted a six-month transition period, during which ranchers will receive financial support for the animals' upkeep, but any bile extraction will be penalized.
The environment minister said the decision reflected the country's commitment to improving the welfare of wild animals and respecting its international obligations, promising to protect the remaining bears until they are finally taken into care.
On the farmers' side, some are denouncing a policy they consider financially unfair. One of them, who raises several dozen bears, explained that some farmers had sold their animals at very low prices due to economic difficulties, while affirming that he would respect the law.
Bear farming for bile began in South Korea in the early 1980s, with the importation of animals from Southeast Asia. Long condemned by the international community, the industry has seen its population plummet from around 1,000 bears in 2014 to just a few hundred today, thanks in part to sterilization programs and public compensation.
Animal welfare organizations welcome the ban, while calling on the government to expedite the creation of new sanctuaries. They believe current capacity is insufficient and fear that delays in opening new facilities could jeopardize the care of animals still in captivity. Some organizations are also considering solutions abroad, including transfers to specialized parks or zoos, to offer the bears a more humane end of life.
