Korea’s plan to lift ban on pets in restaurants sparks mixed reactions

Starting March 1, Korea will for the first time allow pet dogs and cats into ordinary restaurants and cafes — a landmark shift drawing excitement from pet owners and concern from small business owners and non-pet owners. Under revised rules of the Food Sanitation Act, general restaurants, cafes and bakeries may admit customers with vaccinated dogs and cats if they meet new hygiene and safety standards and complete an additional business registration with local authorities. Until now, pets were effectively banned from dining spaces, except for registered assistance dogs, because regulations required animal-accessible areas to be physically separated from where food is handled or consumed. Regulators cited risks of food contamination from fur and saliva. The revised rules carve out a limited exception. Restaurants that opt in and comply with the standards can allow vaccinated dogs and cats into the same dining area as their owners without building a separate pet-only space. Operators must verify that animals have received required vaccinations by checking certificates at the entrance, a

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