Korea has more rules about dogs in public than most foreign residents expect: a nationwide leash law, a permit system for five specific breeds, and strict subway carrier rules. Most of these catch people off guard the first time. Here is what you need to know before your first walk.
The leash rule: start here
Korea's Animal Protection Act (동물보호법) requires all dogs to be on a leash no longer than 2 meters in every public space nationwide. This includes parks, sidewalks, apartment building grounds, and any shared outdoor area. Off-leash walking is uncommon outside designated dog parks.
If your dog is not on a leash in a public space, you are in violation of the law. This applies regardless of your dog's size or temperament.
Owners should also pick up their dog's waste in public spaces. Districts can enforce local pet rules, and building communities often care about this more than visitors expect.
Designated aggressive breeds (맹견)
Five dog breeds have a special legal status in Korea as designated aggressive breeds (맹견). If you own one of these breeds, or a mixed breed that includes one, additional rules apply:
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tosa, also called 도사견 (Japanese Mastiff)
- Rottweiler
These rules took effect April 27, 2024, under the aggressive breed permit system (맹견사육허가제).
What owners of these breeds must do
You must get a government permit from your city or provincial government. You must have your dog neutered. You must carry mandatory liability insurance. You must also pass a temperament evaluation (기질평가) before the permit is issued. These are not optional. Mandatory liability insurance for these breeds has been required since February 2021; the permit and temperament-evaluation requirements were added on April 27, 2024.
Once the dog is 3 months or older, whenever it leaves the residence it must wear a muzzle and remain on a leash. These breeds cannot enter daycare centers (어린이집), kindergartens (유치원), elementary schools (초등학교), special schools (특수학교), senior welfare facilities, disability welfare facilities, children's parks, and children's playgrounds. Local ordinances may add other locations. Entering a banned facility with one of these dogs carries an administrative fine of up to ₩3,000,000.
If a dog injures a person, the owner faces up to 2 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to ₩20,000,000 under Article 97 of the Animal Protection Act. If the dog kills a person, the penalty rises to up to 3 years' imprisonment or up to ₩30,000,000.
If you need a clinic to handle the neutering or a temperament-related question, Seoulstart's vet directory lists English-speaking vets and animal hospitals you can browse by area.
Seoul's dog parks
Seoul operates more than a dozen designated dog parks (반려견 놀이터) where dogs can exercise off-leash.
Managed directly by the Seoul Metropolitan Government
- World Cup Park, Mapo-gu
- Boramae Park, Dongjak-gu
- Seoul Children's Grand Park, Gwangjin-gu
- Maeheon Citizens' Forest, Seocho-gu
District-operated parks
More parks are run by individual district governments, including Eunpyeong, Dobong, Songpa, Yeongdeungpo, Guro, Dongdaemun, Gangbuk, Seongdong, and Geumcheon. The exact roster changes as the city adds locations, so check the Seoul page for the current list.
Entry requirements
Some Seoul dog parks use RFID-chip scanning for entry. Your dog's registered microchip acts as the entry token. The specific parks using this system can change as the city expands the program. Call 02-120 or check the Seoul Metropolitan Government dog parks page for current entry procedures at each location.
Getting around with your dog
Seoul subway (지하철)
Small pets in closed, covered carriers are allowed on the Seoul Metro. The carrier must meet three conditions: it must be fully closed, it must prevent the animal from being visible to other passengers, and it must contain any odors. Open-top carriers are not permitted. Pet strollers are not permitted.
The Seoul Metro does not publish an explicit size or weight limit on its English policy page. The community practice among foreign residents is roughly beagle-sized or smaller. Review the Seoul Metro Passenger Transport Terms and Conditions for the current official rules before your first trip.
Dog cafes and restaurant rules
Dog cafes (강아지 카페) and cat cafes are common throughout Korea. You pay an entry fee and spend time with resident animals, or bring your own dog to socialize with others.
Most standard indoor restaurant seating does not allow pets. A growing number of venues with outdoor or terrace seating do, particularly in neighborhoods popular with foreign residents. You will need to check each venue directly.
Community cats (길고양이)
Community cats (길고양이, literally "road cats") are part of the daily landscape in Korean residential areas.
Under Korea's Animal Protection Act (동물보호법), community cats that naturally inhabit urban areas should not be admitted to shelters. Local governments instead use Trap-Neuter-Return programs (포획-중성화-방사, TNR) and neighborhood-level management.
You may notice feeding stations outside your apartment building or in your neighborhood. Solo volunteers manage most of this activity. Individual districts run annual TNR enrollment periods where volunteers can register community cats for free neutering. Check your district office website for current enrollment dates.
This is a normal and legal part of neighborhood life in Korea. Whether to feed community cats in your area is a local social question with strong feelings on both sides. Getting familiar with your building's norms early is worth doing.
Quick-reference checklist
Before you head out with your dog in Korea, run through this list:
- Leash no longer than 2 meters: yes
- If your dog is a designated breed (맹견): muzzle on, permit obtained, liability insurance active
- Entering a children's facility with a designated breed: not permitted
- Dog park entry: check if RFID scanning is required at that specific park
- Subway trip: pet in a fully closed, odor-containing carrier; no pet strollers