SOUTH KOREA: SOUTH KOREAN ANIMAL LOVERS HOLD A RALLY TO PROTEST AGAINST SALES OF DOG MEAT AT A LOCAL MARKET

Record ID: 215394

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: SOUTH KOREAN ANIMAL LOVERS HOLD A RALLY TO PROTEST AGAINST SALES OF DOG MEAT AT A LOCAL MARKET
  • Date: 29th July 2004
  • Summary: (U3) SUNGNAM, SOUTH KOREA (JULY 29, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. SLV PROTEST LEADER CHANTING: "How can you differentiate edible dogs from pet dogs?! / We are against eating dog meat and against cruelty to animals!"(Korean) PAN TO PROTESTER INSIDE DOG CAGE 0.17 2. LV RALLY AT ENTRANCE OF MORAN MARKET 0.23 3. SV BANNERS READING IN KOREAN, "Dogs want to
  • Embargoed: 13th August 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SUNGNAM AND AINCHON, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Reuters ID: LVA9QAZQ1WSRQCMJBD8HE1PEA1VY
  • Story Text: South Korean animal lovers hold a rally to protest
    against sales of dog meat at a local market.



    About a dozen animal lovers held an anti-dog eating
    rally on Thursday (July 29, 2004) at the entrance of Moran Market
    in Sungnam, south of the South Korean capital Seoul.

    Protesters gathered round a cage with a man inside it
    to illustrate the cruel treatment of dogs chosen and held
    for their meat.

    Protest leader Park So-Yeon denounced dog-eating which
    he said was so vile a practice it could not possibly be
    part of Korean culture.

    "They give dogs names and live together (like a
    family), so dogs are totally different from ordinary
    livestock. How dare you try to eat dog meat?!" and "Eating
    dog meat is a sick custom. Let's get rid of Poshintang!"
    he chanted.

    Park said the protesters had come to this market
    because it sells the most dog meat in Seoul. He also said
    they had decided to hold in the middle of the traditional 30-day 'Dog
    D
    ays' period in which Koreans tend to eat dog
    meat from the beginning of August. The first 10-day period
    spans from mid-July, the mid 10-day period from the end of
    July and the last 10-day period starts around the beginning
    of August.

    "This is the biggest market for dog meat, so we have
    always paid particular attention to this market. Today we
    are holding a rally here, at Moran Market, to mark the 'mid
    10-day' Dog Days period," said Park.

    Park challenges the concept of 'dog Days' which he said
    should not be part of Korea's traditions.

    "Dog meat is disgusting food, so eating dog meat cannot
    be part of our traditional culture!" he shouted in the
    street.

    But few at this market agreed with him. One man said it
    was completely natural to eat preserved dog stew known here
    as Poshingtang.

    "It is natural to eat Poshintang on Dog Days," said
    65-year-old Kim Seon-hong.

    "You don't have to ask that question. Everybody eats
    Poshintang on Dog Days -- ginseng chicken soup or
    Poshintang," said 70-year-old Song Han-im.

    "It's delicious! It's not fatty -- it's also good for
    elderly people," said 83-year-old Yoo Keun-ho.

    In fact, the decision not to eat dog seems to come down
    to no more than a personal issue.

    "I don't ' like dog meat, because it reminds me of my
    pet dog at home. My husband does not eat dog meat at all
    after he promised to his pet dog not to eat dog meat," said
    39-year-old Park Soo-nam.

    Dogs in South Korea are specially bred for cooking,
    especially in the preparation of 'Poshintang' which
    literally means 'body preservation stew'.

    Advocates of dog meat claim it is good for your health
    whilst some see it as a delicacy.

    It is estimated that 16 percent of South Korea's dogs
    are bred as pets. Yet it appears that the number of dog
    lovers is on the increase with 'Dog Cafes' gaining in
    popularity - these are places where you can have coffee and
    are allowed to take your pet dog with you.

    Other figures show there are about 4,000 registered dog
    meat restaurants in South Korea. That number would be
    higher if it included restaurants that simply include dog
    meat on their menu.

    Dog-loving countries have raised particular concern at
    the way the animals are killed. Animal rights activists say
    some of them are beaten, burned or hanged so as to
    tenderise the meat.

    South Korean traders, however, deny the charge and say
    they kill dogs for their meat in the same humane way as
    pigs and cows.


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