Actor Lee Sang-a. Provided by Hu Entertainment. Lee Sang-hwa Instagram screenshot.

On the first day that the system allowing companion animals to enter general restaurants took effect, friction occurred at the dog cafe operated by actress Lee Sang-a, and she shared her thoughts.

On the 1st, Lee Sang-a posted CCTV footage from a dog-friendly cafe located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, on her Instagram. The video shows a visitor raising their voice, along with police who arrived in response to a report assessing the situation on site.

She said, “As of March 1, as companion dogs became allowed to enter general restaurants, we began operating under tension,” and “The situation erupted even before opening, and it was not easy to sort out afterward.” It was reported that there were clashes with some visitors during the process of explaining the revised rules.

Lee Sang-a said, “From the perspective of people who visited without knowing the rules, the many restrictions must have felt frustrating,” and “We provided an explanation, but emotions were running high.” She continued, “I also felt frustrated as someone running a business,” and “In an era when the pet-owning population is growing, it feels like the spaces where we can be together are actually shrinking, which is upsetting.”

She in particular asked that the difference between pet-friendly restaurants and pet cafes be taken into account. She agrees with basic requirements such as cleanliness management and vaccination standards, but maintains that an environment is needed where companion dogs and guardians can spend time more freely.

She also added concern about confusion in the early stage of implementation, saying, “I have heard that some businesses are instead changing to ban the entry of companion animals.”

Finally, she said, “Even if there is some inconvenience, I hope people will be generous in their understanding,” emphasizing, “I only want to create a space where companion dogs and their guardians can enjoy time together.”

Lee Sang-a Instagram screenshot.

This confusion stems from the amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Food Sanitation Act that took effect on March 1. The amendment permits companion animals to accompany their guardians only during the time the guardian uses the restaurant, while mandating movement restrictions and compliance with hygiene and facility standards.

Previously, operations at restaurants were conducted with the aim of separating companion animals from their guardians, but there had been continued criticism that this did not match reality in the case of dog cafes.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety established standards that, under the condition of thoroughly blocking kitchens and spaces where ingredients are stored, allow business operators to choose whether to permit companion animals. Entry of dogs and cats is allowed only in areas other than cooking facilities, and operators are required to post notices and install entry-restriction devices.

However, concerns have also been raised in the industry that the strengthened movement-restriction rules may conflict with the way dog cafes operate.