A Hollywood actor joined a rescue mission to save 67 dogs from a South Korean meat farm recently shut down for violating animal cruelty laws.

Daniel Henney took part in the effort led by Humane World for Animals, which saved the canines after the farm was closed earlier this year for breaching the Animal Protection Act.

The farm's owner had been breeding hounds for meat and serving them in his restaurant for over 40 years.

As South Korea moves toward a national ban on dog meat by 2027, the owner agreed to switch to chili farming.

Humane World for Animals volunteers stepped in to relocate the dogs - many of them puppies or pregnant - to safety.

Daniel, a longtime advocate for ending the pup meat trade, helped care for the animals and assisted in preparing them for relocation to the United States. Most of the rescued dogs were Jindo mixes, a breed native to Korea.

He said: 'They're not even eating their food, they just want love.'

While at the farm, he toured the remaining facilities and pointed out disturbing conditions, including bloodstains on a cutting board.

Fifty of the 67 dogs were taken to the organisation's rehabilitation centre in Maryland for veterinary care and recovery. The remaining 17 will join them once they are old enough to travel.

Daniel, who adopted Juliette, a pooch rescued from a South Korean meat farm in 2020, said he was proud to support the upcoming ban and ensure more animals are spared from cruelty.

He added: 'I'm looking forward to following the journey of these dogs as they find their forever homes.'

Sangkyung Lee, campaign manager for Humane World for Animals Korea, expressed relief that the law is finally beginning to dismantle the dog meat industry.

The dog meat industry in the country is now heavily restricted. On January 9, 2024, the South Korean National Assembly unanimously passed a law banning the breeding, slaughter, and sale of dog meat, with the ban scheduled to take effect in three years.