In a headline-grabbing moment that stunned fans and animal lovers around the world, New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge made an unannounced stop during a recent offseason trip to South Korea — and walked straight into a controversial dog meat shop. But what happened next turned global outrage into overwhelming admiration.

According to eyewitnesses and local media, Judge was walking through a traditional market in Seoul when he reportedly noticed caged dogs inside a butcher shop known for selling dog meat — a practice still legal in some regions, though increasingly condemned both domestically and internationally.

Without hesitation, the 6-foot-7 slugger walked into the establishment and, with the help of a translator, offered to buy every single dog on the premises — not to consume, but to rescue.

“At first, we were stunned,” said one bystander. “Everyone thought, ‘Why is Aaron Judge walking into that place?’ But then we saw him negotiating with the owner, calmly and respectfully, and asking how many dogs were there — and how much it would cost to take them all.”

Judge reportedly paid out of pocket to rescue 14 dogs, most of them small breeds, and immediately coordinated with a local animal rights organization to transfer them to a nearby shelter. But it was his next move that truly brought people to tears.

Instead of leaving quietly, Judge sat on the ground with the rescued dogs, petting them one by one as they were taken out of their cages. A video that has since gone viral shows the Yankees captain holding a shivering puppy close to his chest and whispering, “You’re safe now.”

Later that day, Judge posted a rare personal message to social media:

“I didn’t plan this. I just couldn’t walk by. No living being deserves to be treated like that. If you ever get the chance to help — take it.”

Animal welfare groups and fellow athletes around the world have praised Judge’s actions, with hashtags like #JudgeForTheVoiceless and #RescueHero trending globally. Korean animal advocacy group HARA (Hope And Rescue Alliance) also confirmed that Judge made a sizable donation to help fund the long-term care and relocation of the rescued animals.

Back home, Yankees fans are expressing pride not just in their MVP’s performance on the field — but in his humanity off it.

“Aaron Judge just hit the most important home run of his life,” one fan commented.