Taebaek, a pristine city in Gangwon Province known as one of the best places in South Korea to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, is now adding another draw: a reputation as a pet-friendly destination. The city plans to hold companion animal cultural events year-round as part of its ambition to become a top spot for travel with pets.
Mayor Lee Sang-ho, who won reelection, has been working to add new attractions to Taebaek. His latest initiative, timed to an era when some 15 million people in South Korea own pets, is to build the city's identity as a dog-friendly community. To prevent animal abandonment and loss and to promote responsible pet ownership, the city will hold the "2026 Taebaek Companion Animal Cultural Events" series from June through November.
The events are designed to foster a mature pet culture in which owners and non-owners can coexist, while encouraging greater public awareness of companion animals and adherence to pet etiquette.
The main events will be centered on Taebaek's companion animal playground and will run sequentially through November, featuring a range of hands-on and educational programs: healing yoga with dogs, agility training experiences, a pet-etiquette plogging campaign, a dog play session, and a booth promoting the prevention of lost and abandoned animals and encouraging adoption.
The city has also included programs open to non-pet owners, which it hopes will build mutual understanding and consideration between the two groups and contribute to a community where people and animals can thrive together. Detailed schedules and participation information for each event will be posted on the Taebaek city website on a rolling basis.
Shim Woo-seong, head of the livestock division, said he hopes the events will serve as an opportunity to spread a mature pet culture built on mutual understanding between pet owners and non-owners. "We will continue to work toward building a pet-friendly city where people and animals can live happily together," he said.
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