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By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Alexandra Taseva from Bulgaria
Video = Friday Chopsticks
The consumption of dog meat in Korea, also known as gaegogi (개고기), has a long history in times of past. In recent years, it has been dying out, but now and then it still becomes controversial either in Korea or elsewhere due to animal rights activists and sanitary or life-quality concerns. On July 17, Korean President Moon Jae-in's dog, Tory, became the face of a canine adoption and protection campaign that began in Seoul, urging people to adopt abandoned animals.
The campaign is led by the Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) group and started during the first of the three hottest days of the year according to the traditional lunar calendar. During this summer period, people in the olden days would eat a dog meat soup in the belief that it would help them to deal with the summer heat.
A poster showing a before and after adoption image of Tory, including him being held by President Jae-in Moon, is being used in the campaign. Countless stuffed dog toys were laid in a large heart in a public space in Seoul. The plush dogs held little hearts that read, “I’m not food.” Stalls were set up around the exhibition to educate onlookers about the cruelty involved in the dog meat trade.
"President Moon Jae-in and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, said that they are very glad and happy because Tory has totally changed. He looked anxious and sad when he first came to them, but now he looks very happy and bright," said Park So-Youn, president of CARE.
Tory was a rescue dog adopted by President Moon Jae-in last year, delivering on a campaign promise to boost awareness about the fast-growing number of abandoned animals seen around the country, in line with a surge in pet ownership. The black mixed breed became the first shelter dog to attain the title of First Dog, joining Moon's two other pets, a Korean-breed Pungsan dog named Maru and a former stray cat named Jjing-jjingi.
"First Dog Tory had been abandoned, abused, and raised to be eaten before he was rescued. So we organized this exhibition to let people know that dogs are not a dish on a table, but living creatures that needs love and care," said Park So-Youn.
"As a person who has a dog, I feel sorry that so many dogs are abandoned and raised to be eaten. I hope that, through today's event, such situations for dogs will no longer exist," said Kim Ku-Seul, a participant in the event.
During the event, people also signed up to adopt a dog. Proceeds from the toys, which cost KRW 30,000, about USD $27 each, were put toward rescuing abused or abandoned dogs, said CARE.
wisdom117@korea.kr
* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.
Video = Friday Chopsticks
The consumption of dog meat in Korea, also known as gaegogi (개고기), has a long history in times of past. In recent years, it has been dying out, but now and then it still becomes controversial either in Korea or elsewhere due to animal rights activists and sanitary or life-quality concerns. On July 17, Korean President Moon Jae-in's dog, Tory, became the face of a canine adoption and protection campaign that began in Seoul, urging people to adopt abandoned animals.
The campaign is led by the Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) group and started during the first of the three hottest days of the year according to the traditional lunar calendar. During this summer period, people in the olden days would eat a dog meat soup in the belief that it would help them to deal with the summer heat.
A poster showing a before and after adoption image of Tory, including him being held by President Jae-in Moon, is being used in the campaign. Countless stuffed dog toys were laid in a large heart in a public space in Seoul. The plush dogs held little hearts that read, “I’m not food.” Stalls were set up around the exhibition to educate onlookers about the cruelty involved in the dog meat trade.
"President Moon Jae-in and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, said that they are very glad and happy because Tory has totally changed. He looked anxious and sad when he first came to them, but now he looks very happy and bright," said Park So-Youn, president of CARE.
Tory was a rescue dog adopted by President Moon Jae-in last year, delivering on a campaign promise to boost awareness about the fast-growing number of abandoned animals seen around the country, in line with a surge in pet ownership. The black mixed breed became the first shelter dog to attain the title of First Dog, joining Moon's two other pets, a Korean-breed Pungsan dog named Maru and a former stray cat named Jjing-jjingi.
"First Dog Tory had been abandoned, abused, and raised to be eaten before he was rescued. So we organized this exhibition to let people know that dogs are not a dish on a table, but living creatures that needs love and care," said Park So-Youn.
"As a person who has a dog, I feel sorry that so many dogs are abandoned and raised to be eaten. I hope that, through today's event, such situations for dogs will no longer exist," said Kim Ku-Seul, a participant in the event.
During the event, people also signed up to adopt a dog. Proceeds from the toys, which cost KRW 30,000, about USD $27 each, were put toward rescuing abused or abandoned dogs, said CARE.
wisdom117@korea.kr
* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.
