Campaign Continues Against Korean Dog Meat Trade
- article taken from the Summer 2001 issue of IDA (In Defense of Animals) www.idausa.org

Each year, millions of dogs and cats in South Korea meet a grisly death at the hands of an illegal trade in their flesh. Before being eaten, animals are electrocuted, strangled, or bludgeoned to death in order to increase the level of adrenalin in their blood, which some believe provides an aphrodisiac effect. Thirty percent of the dogs are stolen from families that love them, and most are homeless dogs, captured by butchers and sold in open markets. The tragic reality is that, in spite of laws forbidding the sale and consumption of dog meat, South Korean authorities are turning a blind eye to this outrageous bloodbath.

Thanks to the compassionate concern of thousands of IDA members, we have been able to collect 20,000 signatures on our petition. These documents demand that the South Korean President enforce existing laws and support tougher measures on the animals' behalf. In addition, our members have flooded South Korean legislators and key government officials with letters, phone calls, faxes, and e-mails demanding a stop to this barbaric practice.

Two sweet Akitas awaits their death.

IDA recently participated in an international day of action on July 16, with demonstration in major cities around the world. Protests were held in front of Korean embassies and consulates, major Korean businesses and Korean car dealerships. Additionally, IDA presented our petitions to the Korean consulates in San Francisco on July 16. IDA participated in demonstrations in several U.S. cities, and these actions applied more pressure to the South Korean government to enforce its laws. Furthermore, the upcoming 2002 World Cup soccer tournament in Seoul presents us with a unique opportunity to champion an enlightened animal rights agenda in South Korea. The last time Korea hosted an event such magnitude - the 1988 Summer Olympics - the government implemented stern (albeit temporary) animal protection laws. This time we must work together to make them permanent.

--end of article--


WHAT YOU CAN DO
Please write to the following officials requesting them to enact tougher measures for the protection of dogs.

Kim Mo Im, Minister
The Ministry of Health and Welfare
1 Joongang-Dong
Kwachun City, Kyoungki-do
South Korea 427-760

Kim Sung Hoon, Minister
The Ministry of Agriculture
1 Joongang-Dong
Kwachun City, Kyoungki-do
South Korea 427-760

Kim Dae Jung, President
Blue House
1 Saejong-Ro,
Chongro-Ku
Seoul, South Korea
110-050