|
KT (Korea Telecom) told Reuters
that they had no idea that the convention hall was to be used as "an
opening ceremony" for some 100 restaurant owners to promote the
consumption of dog-meat to tourists at the upcoming 2002 World Cup
Games. Not wishing to elicit bad publicity, the
government-affiliated company canceled the event.
The Fate of Dogs Hinges on ...Soccer??
With the heightened publicity and international scrutiny brought on by
the upcoming soccer games, South Korea has become the focus of an
intense debate that has gone beyond cultural and culinary
differences. The fact that animals are tortured before slaughter
has made it an issue of worldwide humanitarian concern.
(Dog-eaters claim that adrenaline, stimulated by pain, improves the
taste of meat).
Only in recent years has canine torture
and slaughter come into the public eye, largely due to international
athletic events being awarded to Asian venues.
This week, China
Daily reported:
"South
Korea has no law governing the sale of dog meat. Concerned about
its international image, the government banned the food during the 1988
Seoul Olympics by invoking a law that prohibits the sale of 'foods
deemed unsightly.' After the Olympics, the ban was not strictly
enforced." The Korean government itself allegedly
intends to crack down on dog-meat restaurants ahead of this year's
soccer World Cup to be co-hosted by South Korea and Japan from May
31-June 30.
|
Winning the Battle...
Commercial Dog-Meat Banned South Korean animal-lovers and animal
welfare groups all over the world hailed the cancellation of the
dog-meat rally as a small victory in the struggle toward progressive
animal rights. Any revolution is, by nature, lengthy and
painful. However, the progressive Korean group
Anti-Dogmeat
Headquarters notes the encouraging recent developments: in
Thailand (Oct. 7, 2000) and in Taiwan (Feb. 1, 2001) commercial dog
slaughtering was prohibited by law.
The new millennium may hold a brighter
future for today's puppies, with a little help from the humans.
Editor's note to all our friends in
the UK:
On Jan. 25, 2002 at 12:30pm, go to the South Korean Embassy, 60
Buckingham Gate, London "to protest the ongoing illegal torture,
slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats in South Korea." For
more info contact IAKA / KAPS (UK) on 01-782-256983
Email: stevdeb.wilko@virgin.net
Source: Animal_net
News
Also, check the KAPS
website to see what other international demonstrations are scheduled.
§§§
Headlines
Prev  Next
|
