South Korea has banned bear farms for bile production
As of January 1, 2026, a ban on bear bile farms has come into effect in South Korea. This decision has put an end to a cruel practice that existed for 45 years. In 1981, the South Korean government permitted the import and breeding of bears to support the agricultural sector. However, in 1985, under pressure from the international community, Seoul restricted the import of these wild animals. The ban on their breeding was only introduced in 2023.