In 1997, after I returned to California, I established IAKA to plan and fund a worldwide international campaign to stop the consumption of dog meat. In 1999, international demonstrations were held in London, Sydney, Paris, New York, and Amsterdam, with the support of local animal organizations and activists, in response to a congressman’s attempt to introduce a law that would legalize the consumption of dog meat and dog farming. The campaign successfully prevented the legalization of dog meat but saw no other changes in the ban on dog meat consumption. 

I tried to make US-wide awareness through the media, but all the press I contacted were unhelpful and it seemed blocked by the US policy on North and South Korea. Lobbying the US Congress and meeting with several senators, members of Congress, and Henry Kissinger, who would meet with the Korean President in September 2001 to ask the Korean President to ban illegal dog meat consumption in Korea, but all stopped because of the September 11 tragedy. 

We found that international campaigns and demonstrations had little practical impact and sometimes led young Koreans to become defensive, resulting in them consuming more dog meat. We ceased international campaigning and demonstrations around 2003. Since then, we have been collaborating with local Korean animal organizations and rescue shelters to ensure they have the necessary resources to educate the public, provide food and shelter for their animals, and conduct spay and neuter operations. We helped establish the Korea Animal Protection Society in 1992 and supported it until 2007, when my sister retired from running KAPS. We helped found the Korea Animal Protection and Education Society in 2008 in Seoul to educate the public on animal protection. We have also assisted the Nabiya Cat Association with cat rescue, and Daejun Paws with dog rescue, including spay/neuter and vaccination services. We are currently supporting the Hug Me Shelter Association and Rebel Rescue South Korea.  

For a long time, it was hard to have any hope for successfully banning dog meat consumption. Still, I have observed a shift in the social attitudes of the majority of the Korean population, particularly over the last few decades, toward dogs and cats, marked by an increase in pet ownership, the establishment of animal welfare groups, and a significant decline in dog meat consumption. The unfortunately impeached past President, Yoon Suk Yeol, and First Lady of Korea are noted animal lovers and have been vocal advocates for animal welfare reform. On January 7, 2024, the Korean Parliament passed a bill banning the farming of dogs and the sale of dog meat. The Special Act to Ban Dog Meat will initiate a three-year phase-out, culminating in the complete ban on dog farming and the sale of dog meat by 2027. The bill was passed with rare bipartisan support, signaling a major cultural shift in the Korean people. After decades of campaigning for the welfare of Korean dogs, I cannot truly convey the joy I felt at that moment. I know this does not solve all the problems, but it must be recognized as a significant victory for the cause and a substantial leap forward in progress.

Demo Posters 2000

London Demonstrations 2000