South Korea is set to officially bring its bear bile farming industry to an end this week, although nearly 200 bears remain confined on farms as negotiations over their future continue.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment confirmed that from the beginning of next year it will prohibit the breeding and ownership of bears, as well as the extraction of bile. The move follows revisions to the country’s animal protection laws, which introduce prison sentences of up to two to five years for those who violate the ban.
South Korea has been one of the very few nations where bears — primarily Asiatic black bears, also known as moon bears — have been legally farmed for their bile. The substance has traditionally been used in food and medicine, where it is believed to boost stamina and vitality.
However, demand for bear bile has fallen sharply over the past 20 years. Growing skepticism over its health benefits, the availability of cheaper alternatives, and increased public concern about animal cruelty have all contributed to the industry’s decline.
The ban stems from a landmark 2022 agreement between the government, bear farmers, and animal welfare organisations, which committed to ending bear bile farming entirely by 2026. Under the arrangement, animal rights groups oversee the purchase of bears from farms, while the government provides facilities to house them.
So far this year, 21 bears have been bought out and transferred to a state-run sanctuary in South Jeolla Province.
Despite this progress, 199 bears are still being kept at 11 farms nationwide. Disagreements over compensation levels for farmers have slowed the process, according to officials, activists, and farm owners.
The Environment Ministry has announced a six-month grace period for existing farmers, during which bile extraction will be punished under the law. It has also pledged financial incentives to farmers who continue caring for their bears until the animals are relocated.
“Our decision to end bear farming reflects South Korea’s commitment to improving the welfare of wild animals and fulfilling our responsibilities,” Environment Minister Kim Sung-whan said in a statement. “We will do everything possible to protect the bears until the last one is rescued.”
Not all farmers support the policy. Kim Kwang-soo, who raises 78 bears in the southern city of Dangjin, said many farmers sold their animals at extremely low prices due to financial hardship, though he has not yet done so.
“This policy is deeply unfair,” he said. “I will still comply with the law, because refusing would only bring further disadvantages.”
Mr Kim added that he is burdened with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt due to the cost of maintaining his bears. In 2014, his farm housed around 270 animals.
At its peak that same year, South Korea’s bear farming industry held roughly 1,000 bears — all descendants of animals imported from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries when farming began in the early 1980s.
Animal welfare organisations have welcomed the government’s decision to uphold the 2022 agreement but warn that the country lacks sufficient sanctuary space. The existing government facility in South Jeolla can accommodate up to 49 bears, though activists argue it should house no more than 30. A second sanctuary, originally scheduled to open in April, has been delayed until 2027 due to flood damage.
“It’s encouraging to see the government acknowledge the cruelty of bear bile farming and move to shut it down,” said Cheon Jin-kyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul. “But without enough safe places for the rescued bears, serious concerns remain about their long-term care.”