South Korea, January 1, 2026 – In a landmark move, the government has shuttered the nation's last bear bile farms, freeing 337 moon bears—some of which had been confined for up to 30 years, with others enduring captivity for as long as 15. With a $12 million allocation for new sanctuaries, the first group of 54 bears was released into a spacious 40-acre enclosure in February. Heartwarming footage captured one bear, named Sumi, touching grass for the first time; she stood motionless for 10 minutes before tentatively lying down, a poignant symbol of her long-awaited freedom. Veterinarians are now treating the animals for severe muscle atrophy, extensive dental damage, and deep psychological trauma stemming from decades in cramped cages. Full rehabilitation is expected to take at least 2-3 years. By ending this practice, South Korea joins a growing list of nations rejecting bear bile farming, though countries like China and Vietnam continue to operate thousands of such facilities. This shift underscores a profound truth: change arrives when society deems cruelty more costly than profit, proving that progress unfolds when enough people refuse to accept suffering as mere tradition.