South Koreans imported 7,961 dogs and 2,280 cats this year, twice more from two years ago as they spend more time at home due to the pandemic, according to the regional customs office in Incheon.
The said number of dogs and cats were brought into the country from January to August via air carriers.
In 2019, there were 4,165 dogs and 1,057 cats brought into the country.
The latest number was also about 10 percent more than the combined 9,270 dogs and cats that the country imported over the same period in 2020.
According to the customs office, the hike is attributable to the social distancing mandates and the necessity of working from home.
In a separate report, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs revealed that over 6.3 million households had pets as of October, up 470,000 from the previous year.
It is estimated that South Korea has 8.6 million pet dogs and cats.


The American mass exodus to Canada amid Trump 2.0 has yet to materialize
Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks
Locked up then locked out: how NZ’s bank rules make life for ex-prisoners even harder
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism
Glastonbury is as popular than ever, but complaints about the lineup reveal its generational challenge
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review
AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer
What’s the difference between baking powder and baking soda? It’s subtle, but significant
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated
Disaster or digital spectacle? The dangers of using floods to create social media content
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge
The Beauty Beneath the Expressway: A Journey from Self to Service
How to support someone who is grieving: five research-backed strategies
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 



