Perplexing, Troubling Traditional Cuisines

South Korea has impressed itself and the world at large with the ferocious determination it has demonstrated in bringing itself into the world of technological advantage and financial success. It has proven itself capable of entering the 21st Century, of advancing the country's interests in every conceivable way. It has earned the respect of the international community by its adaptability to the world of today.

Every nation has its unfortunate tendencies to behave occasionally in a manner that does it no credit. And with South Korea it is the tendency - shared by the Chinese - to crave a tradition that is no longer appropriate to its enlightened society. In China, it is the tradition of their culinary culture, and the ancient pharmaceutical culture that threatens the existence of endangered species.

At one time, in China, no birds were heard singing in the trees. Largely, that was the result of mass starvation threatening an indigent population during less fortunate economic climes. Dogs too, are seen as creatures to be bred for human consumption. And that too was true of South Korea. There are now national laws prohibiting the eating of dog meat in South Korea, albeit rarely enforced.

South Korea, over the years, has become increasingly westernized in its social outlook, in stark contrast to North Korea which has retained more traditional aspects of its culture. Pet ownership has become the norm in South Korea, and there are South Koreans now promoting animal rights, with strenuous campaigns against raising dogs for human consumption.

Despite which, dogs and cats continue to be butchered, and their meat is popular, as it has been for centuries. While in past centuries the consumption of dog and cat meat took place as a result of food shortages, at the present time it is the wealthy of the country who insist on their right to include dogs in their niche cuisines.

That unfortunate insistence hits head on with the growing number of pet owners, the number of pet shops and television shows themed for animal lovers and the numbers of South Koreans who profess a true repugnance for the difficult-to-shed practise of preparing dog soup, commonly served as a delicacy in restaurants.

To their great credit there are some South Koreans who are determined that their activism on behalf of animal rights will eventually result in bringing shame to those who insist that the marketing of such animals continue, with dogs kept in cages, hanged and butchered.