A move to close down the nation's largest dog meat market is underway.

Moran Market in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, began disposing of dog cages and slaughtering facilities, Monday.

The move follows an agreement signed between Seongnam City and the dog meat vendors' association in December.

Among the 22 meat dealers, 15 have agreed to close their shops.

The city government will assist the vendors in seeking new businesses and refurbish their shops by May.

The market has been the target of criticism from animal rights activists as well as residents in the area who complained of the noise and odor coming from the slaughter.

Because the law on hygiene management of livestock does not include dogs in its definition of livestock, there were no legal grounds for authorities to regulate the dog meat market.

There are hopes that the move will help Moran Market and the area shed its tainted image.

The market sells 80,000 dogs a year, which is a third of the total dog meat consumption here.