Guest guest Posted September 8, 2002 Report Share Posted September 8, 2002 The second letter on here is a response my friend got from the Korean Govt. (I have never received one although I've sent many myself) - it seems either they don't know the magnitude of the problem or they are trying to pull the wool over they public's eyes? Either way it's highly dismissive! Nikki - " Liz A " <lizavian " ±èµ¿Å " <minister; " Niki Green " <nikgreen Sunday, September 08, 2002 2:49 AM Re: Your support is requested > Dear Minister, > > Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I did pause to think about the > cultural sentiments you expressed. I understand that change takes time, > but sometimes change needs a push. A big PUSH. > > Eating meat means killing animals. Thankfully, most humans no longer > kill each other in this pursuit. Animals raised as " livestock " are > normally slaughtered in a humane way. While some people protest eating > animal flesh of any kind, others only want to see humanity. The > inhumane torture and slaughter of a pet dog for profit should be > completely outlawed and offenders should be heavily fined. This will > help push the younger generation toward a more humane culture. This > does not mean " westernised " culture. This means " humanized " culture. > > You are in a position to create change, enact laws, and follow through > on them. It is only my suggestion that you outlaw the brutal " slow > death " of companion animals. For the " dying breed " of dog meat eaters, > I suggest they can freely eat any animal that has died at an old age > from natural causes - not from being bent, twisted, strangled and > tortured by human hands to die in agony. > > Please outlaw this brutal practice with any power and compassion within > you! > > Thank you. > > ±èµ¿Å wrote: > > > Dear > > > > Let me take this opportunity to commend you on your advocating activities regarding animal welfare. In addition, the Korean government thanks you for the opportunity to comment on your concerns about the treatment of dogs and cats in Korea. > > > > In common with other peoples around the world, we abhor horrific and inhumane treatment inflicted on animals. As in many countries, dogs in Korea are well loved and considered as human's faithful companion. Its traditional dogs, Jindogae and Sapsalgae, are preserved and raised as a national treasure. It is not an unusual sight to see people walking their dogs along the streets of Korea. > > > > Regardless of our love of dogs and cats, our traditional habit of dog meat consumption has remained with us for thousands of years of Korean history. This practice is neither a daily habit nor common among Koreans. Dog meat consumption is rapidly decreasing as a new generation adopts western culture. It is similar to France's culinary custom of eating horse meat and snail. Hindu's refuse to consume beef, while other cultures prefer pork consumption, except for Islam and Judaism. As outsiders, it is rather odd to hear of the diverse dietary habit. However, one can imagine that it is natural to them, because it has been passed on and practiced for countless centuries. > > > > It is a commonly accepted fact that every country is endowed with its own unique characteristic culture. Culture is a metaphor for a gigantic flow of current, reflecting the ideas, beliefs, or customs of a society. It is formed and generated over centuries. While knowledge or beliefs are influenced and transformed by trends, accidents, or happenings in life in a short space of time, culture represents hundreds and thousands of embedded life habits and styles. It is virtually impossible to transform one's own culture in a matter of decades. This is where the difficulty lies for Korea with its 5000-year-old history. > > > > In response to criticism within Korea and around the world as well as in a spirit of humanity against the cruel treatment of dogs and cats by a relatively small number of insensitive butchers, the Korean government legislated the Animal Protection Act in May 1991. It aims to protect animals and reduce unnecessary suffering inflicted on animals. It prohibits the cruel slaughtering and bad treatment of animals. At the same time, the government has amended the Food Sanitation Act and Livestock Product Sanitation Act. In terms of the Livestock Product Sanitation Act, dogs are not considered as meat for consumption unlike other livestock. And dog meat is designated as a 'disgusting food' in terms of the Food Sanitation Act. > > > > Despite the Korean government's earnest efforts, it has failed to eradicate dog meat consumption completely. Cultures change at a surprisingly slow pace. To shed thousands of years of entrenched habits takes an extremely long time and it cannot happen within decades. > > > > As Korea experiences new tastes and embraces Western culture with open arms, young people, especially, one can reasonably expect that its interest in consumption of dog meat, already marginal and exotic, will diminish further. Also the Korean government will continuously try to prohibit the cruel treatment of dogs and cats. > > > > I hope this information helps your understanding of the practice of dog meat consumption in Korea and allays any exaggerated concerns you may have regarding it. We reiterate that Koreans are also caring and humane people abided by their peaceful culture. > > > > Thank you again for expressing your concerns and interest in our culture. > > > > Sincerely yours > > > > Director General Rho Kyeong-Sang > > Livestock Bureau > > Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry` > > > > > > Liz A [lizavian] > > Friday, September 06, 2002 4:33 PM > > webmaster; leeys; ±èµ¿ÅÂ; M_opm > > Your support is requested > > > > President Kim, Dae-Jung > > Blue House > > 1 Sejong-Ro, Jongro-gu > > Seoul, South Korea 110-050 > > > > The Ministry of Health and Welfare > > 1 Jungang-dong > > Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province > > South Korea 427-760 > > Fax: 82-2-503-7568 > > webmaster > > > > Director of Korean Food and Drug Administration > > 5 Nokbun-dong > > Unpyoung-gu > > Seoul, South Korea 122-704 > > Fax: 82-2-359-6963 > > leeys > > > > Ministry of Agriculture > > 1 Jungang-dong > > Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province > > South Korea 427-760 > > minister > > > > Prime Minister > > 77-6 Sejong-Ro, Jongno-gu > > Seoul, South Korea 110-050 > > M_opm > > > > WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE TERRIBLE, CRUEL ACTS? Please read this > > letter and TAKE ACTION to end this ignorant torture. Thank you. > > > > Eyewitness Account of Horrific Dog Torture > > > > (Translated from original letter in Korean) > > > > At 7:30 on the morning of May 14, 2002, I left my inn to take a walk > > by Manripo Beach. I came upon two men talking. One man walked up to a > > dog tied up by a stream. This white dog was jumping up and down and > > wagging his tail, happy to see his owner. The owner untied the rope > > from the tree and used the rope to tie up the dog. He handed him over > > to the other man. From the moment he was handed over to the second > > man, the dog was unable to move and the man dragged the dog for about > > twenty meters to a post. He put the rope around the post and yanked > > the dog over roughly, then tied him to the post. The dog was > > screaming in pain and flailing. This middle-aged man used his two > > hands to pull on the dog's tail with all his strength, causing the > > dog to be choked around the neck, crushing the dog's backbone. Then > > he was using all his strength to pull the dog by his left leg. Next > > he did the same with the right leg. While the dog was still alive, he > > was tearing his body apart. > > > > The dog was barely able to move, and he was moaning with horrible > > pain. He took a short break, looking at the dog and observing the > > dog's dying condition. He waited a few minutes, and proceeded to > > repeat these actions about three times over the next thirty minutes. > > He stopped to check if the dog was breathing to make sure he was > > still alive, then he went back to his house, four meters away. The > > dog was still alive and still moving. I asked this man, " Why are you > > killing this dog so painfully, so cruelly? Why can't you kill > > him quickly? " He thought I was a dogmeat buyer or someone who enjoyed > > dogmeat. He smiled at me and proudly told me, " Dog should take a > > long time to be killed, that way it tastes better. " At that moment I > > was so enraged. " All the other countries who don't eat dog advance as > > a country. If we don't stop eating dogs, we are never going to be a > > progressive country. " > > > > " People in Seoul enjoy eating dog more. " the dog butcher replied, and > > he went back to his room. > > > > My heart was aching and pounding with panic. I couldn't breathe from > > the shock. I ran the 150 meter s back to the inn, my back and face > > covered in sweat and tears. An hour later I calmed down. The group I > > was traveling with had to leave. While I was leaving, I looked at the > > dog and saw him still tied up, dangling on the post. I was thinking > > about how many hours would pass until sunset and how long this > > butcher would hang the dog alive, if he was still alive. I cried and > > closed my eyes. " White Dog, I wish you peace in heaven. The man who > > killed you is so cruel, how can he be part of our Korean people? > > White Dog, you can't forgive the butcher, but I will do it for you. I > > feel that our country is still so primitive. Someday the butcher will > > die. I believe that he will die just like you died, with pain. When > > you are reborn, hopefully you are never born into a country like this > > one, I hope you will be born into some advanced country. " > > > > This past week, I cannot work, I cannot sleep with the rage and this > > feeling of despair. This man had put in a big post in front of his > > house with equipment all around it, which seems to show that he has > > been doing this kind of work for a long time. He does this thing when > > an order comes from a dog soup restaurant. I am sure this expert dog > > butcher knows how to give maximum cruelty. That white dog so cruelly > > kill ed was eaten by savage dog eaters at a table of drinking, > > laughing people, who pay expensively for tender meat! In my life, I > > have observed that the dog meat eaters are always ailing, are never > > healthy and don't live a long time. I don't know why. > > > > Everyone, please be aware there is no one in this world more cruel > > than this butcher. Would you like to go to this Manripo Beach in > > Taeahn-gun where you might see this evil, cruel man who has already > > given up his humanity? > > > > Please let everyone all over the country know about this cruel man > > and his acts by sending this letter continuously to the newspapers, > > television, magazines-use all the media. Let them know the name of > > this place. > > > > Because I fear revenge, I regretfully cannot reveal my real identity, > > but some day I will. > > > > May 20, 2002 > > > > A business man in his fifties, living in Sucho-gu, Seoul-Chun Am > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2002 Report Share Posted September 8, 2002 Its an automated reply, I got the same almost word for word from the Korean Food and Drug Administration and that was over a year ago! - " Nikki Green " <nikgreen <aapn > Sunday, September 08, 2002 8:48 AM Fw: Your support is requested > The second letter on here is a response my friend got from the Korean Govt. > (I have never received one although I've sent many myself) - it seems either > they don't know the magnitude of the problem or they are trying to pull the > wool over they public's eyes? Either way it's highly dismissive! > > Nikki > > - > " Liz A " <lizavian > " ±èµ¿Å " <minister; " Niki Green " <nikgreen > Sunday, September 08, 2002 2:49 AM > Re: Your support is requested > > > > Dear Minister, > > > > Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I did pause to think about the > > cultural sentiments you expressed. I understand that change takes time, > > but sometimes change needs a push. A big PUSH. > > > > Eating meat means killing animals. Thankfully, most humans no longer > > kill each other in this pursuit. Animals raised as " livestock " are > > normally slaughtered in a humane way. While some people protest eating > > animal flesh of any kind, others only want to see humanity. The > > inhumane torture and slaughter of a pet dog for profit should be > > completely outlawed and offenders should be heavily fined. This will > > help push the younger generation toward a more humane culture. This > > does not mean " westernised " culture. This means " humanized " culture. > > > > You are in a position to create change, enact laws, and follow through > > on them. It is only my suggestion that you outlaw the brutal " slow > > death " of companion animals. For the " dying breed " of dog meat eaters, > > I suggest they can freely eat any animal that has died at an old age > > from natural causes - not from being bent, twisted, strangled and > > tortured by human hands to die in agony. > > > > Please outlaw this brutal practice with any power and compassion within > > you! > > > > Thank you. > > > > ±èµ¿Å wrote: > > > > > Dear > > > > > > Let me take this opportunity to commend you on your advocating > activities regarding animal welfare. In addition, the Korean government > thanks you for the opportunity to comment on your concerns about the > treatment of dogs and cats in Korea. > > > > > > In common with other peoples around the world, we abhor horrific and > inhumane treatment inflicted on animals. As in many countries, dogs in > Korea are well loved and considered as human's faithful companion. Its > traditional dogs, Jindogae and Sapsalgae, are preserved and raised as a > national treasure. It is not an unusual sight to see people walking their > dogs along the streets of Korea. > > > > > > Regardless of our love of dogs and cats, our traditional habit of dog > meat consumption has remained with us for thousands of years of Korean > history. This practice is neither a daily habit nor common among Koreans. > Dog meat consumption is rapidly decreasing as a new generation adopts > western culture. It is similar to France's culinary custom of eating horse > meat and snail. Hindu's refuse to consume beef, while other cultures prefer > pork consumption, except for Islam and Judaism. As outsiders, it is rather > odd to hear of the diverse dietary habit. However, one can imagine that it > is natural to them, because it has been passed on and practiced for > countless centuries. > > > > > > It is a commonly accepted fact that every country is endowed with its > own unique characteristic culture. Culture is a metaphor for a gigantic > flow of current, reflecting the ideas, beliefs, or customs of a society. It > is formed and generated over centuries. While knowledge or beliefs are > influenced and transformed by trends, accidents, or happenings in life in a > short space of time, culture represents hundreds and thousands of embedded > life habits and styles. It is virtually impossible to transform one's own > culture in a matter of decades. This is where the difficulty lies for Korea > with its 5000-year-old history. > > > > > > In response to criticism within Korea and around the world as well as > in a spirit of humanity against the cruel treatment of dogs and cats by a > relatively small number of insensitive butchers, the Korean government > legislated the Animal Protection Act in May 1991. It aims to protect > animals and reduce unnecessary suffering inflicted on animals. It prohibits > the cruel slaughtering and bad treatment of animals. At the same time, the > government has amended the Food Sanitation Act and Livestock Product > Sanitation Act. In terms of the Livestock Product Sanitation Act, dogs are > not considered as meat for consumption unlike other livestock. And dog meat > is designated as a 'disgusting food' in terms of the Food Sanitation Act. > > > > > > Despite the Korean government's earnest efforts, it has failed to > eradicate dog meat consumption completely. Cultures change at a > surprisingly slow pace. To shed thousands of years of entrenched habits > takes an extremely long time and it cannot happen within decades. > > > > > > As Korea experiences new tastes and embraces Western culture with open > arms, young people, especially, one can reasonably expect that its interest > in consumption of dog meat, already marginal and exotic, will diminish > further. Also the Korean government will continuously try to prohibit the > cruel treatment of dogs and cats. > > > > > > I hope this information helps your understanding of the practice of > dog meat consumption in Korea and allays any exaggerated concerns you may > have regarding it. We reiterate that Koreans are also caring and humane > people abided by their peaceful culture. > > > > > > Thank you again for expressing your concerns and interest in our > culture. > > > > > > Sincerely yours > > > > > > Director General Rho Kyeong-Sang > > > Livestock Bureau > > > Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry` > > > > > > > > > Liz A [lizavian] > > > Friday, September 06, 2002 4:33 PM > > > webmaster; leeys; ±èµ¿ÅÂ; M_opm > > > Your support is requested > > > > > > President Kim, Dae-Jung > > > Blue House > > > 1 Sejong-Ro, Jongro-gu > > > Seoul, South Korea 110-050 > > > > > > The Ministry of Health and Welfare > > > 1 Jungang-dong > > > Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province > > > South Korea 427-760 > > > Fax: 82-2-503-7568 > > > webmaster > > > > > > Director of Korean Food and Drug Administration > > > 5 Nokbun-dong > > > Unpyoung-gu > > > Seoul, South Korea 122-704 > > > Fax: 82-2-359-6963 > > > leeys > > > > > > Ministry of Agriculture > > > 1 Jungang-dong > > > Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province > > > South Korea 427-760 > > > minister > > > > > > Prime Minister > > > 77-6 Sejong-Ro, Jongno-gu > > > Seoul, South Korea 110-050 > > > M_opm > > > > > > WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE TERRIBLE, CRUEL ACTS? Please read this > > > letter and TAKE ACTION to end this ignorant torture. Thank you. > > > > > > Eyewitness Account of Horrific Dog Torture > > > > > > (Translated from original letter in Korean) > > > > > > At 7:30 on the morning of May 14, 2002, I left my inn to take a walk > > > by Manripo Beach. I came upon two men talking. One man walked up to a > > > dog tied up by a stream. This white dog was jumping up and down and > > > wagging his tail, happy to see his owner. The owner untied the rope > > > from the tree and used the rope to tie up the dog. He handed him over > > > to the other man. From the moment he was handed over to the second > > > man, the dog was unable to move and the man dragged the dog for about > > > twenty meters to a post. He put the rope around the post and yanked > > > the dog over roughly, then tied him to the post. The dog was > > > screaming in pain and flailing. This middle-aged man used his two > > > hands to pull on the dog's tail with all his strength, causing the > > > dog to be choked around the neck, crushing the dog's backbone. Then > > > he was using all his strength to pull the dog by his left leg. Next > > > he did the same with the right leg. While the dog was still alive, he > > > was tearing his body apart. > > > > > > The dog was barely able to move, and he was moaning with horrible > > > pain. He took a short break, looking at the dog and observing the > > > dog's dying condition. He waited a few minutes, and proceeded to > > > repeat these actions about three times over the next thirty minutes. > > > He stopped to check if the dog was breathing to make sure he was > > > still alive, then he went back to his house, four meters away. The > > > dog was still alive and still moving. I asked this man, " Why are you > > > killing this dog so painfully, so cruelly? Why can't you kill > > > him quickly? " He thought I was a dogmeat buyer or someone who enjoyed > > > dogmeat. He smiled at me and proudly told me, " Dog should take a > > > long time to be killed, that way it tastes better. " At that moment I > > > was so enraged. " All the other countries who don't eat dog advance as > > > a country. If we don't stop eating dogs, we are never going to be a > > > progressive country. " > > > > > > " People in Seoul enjoy eating dog more. " the dog butcher replied, and > > > he went back to his room. > > > > > > My heart was aching and pounding with panic. I couldn't breathe from > > > the shock. I ran the 150 meter s back to the inn, my back and face > > > covered in sweat and tears. An hour later I calmed down. The group I > > > was traveling with had to leave. While I was leaving, I looked at the > > > dog and saw him still tied up, dangling on the post. I was thinking > > > about how many hours would pass until sunset and how long this > > > butcher would hang the dog alive, if he was still alive. I cried and > > > closed my eyes. " White Dog, I wish you peace in heaven. The man who > > > killed you is so cruel, how can he be part of our Korean people? > > > White Dog, you can't forgive the butcher, but I will do it for you. I > > > feel that our country is still so primitive. Someday the butcher will > > > die. I believe that he will die just like you died, with pain. When > > > you are reborn, hopefully you are never born into a country like this > > > one, I hope you will be born into some advanced country. " > > > > > > This past week, I cannot work, I cannot sleep with the rage and this > > > feeling of despair. This man had put in a big post in front of his > > > house with equipment all around it, which seems to show that he has > > > been doing this kind of work for a long time. He does this thing when > > > an order comes from a dog soup restaurant. I am sure this expert dog > > > butcher knows how to give maximum cruelty. That white dog so cruelly > > > kill ed was eaten by savage dog eaters at a table of drinking, > > > laughing people, who pay expensively for tender meat! In my life, I > > > have observed that the dog meat eaters are always ailing, are never > > > healthy and don't live a long time. I don't know why. > > > > > > Everyone, please be aware there is no one in this world more cruel > > > than this butcher. Would you like to go to this Manripo Beach in > > > Taeahn-gun where you might see this evil, cruel man who has already > > > given up his humanity? > > > > > > Please let everyone all over the country know about this cruel man > > > and his acts by sending this letter continuously to the newspapers, > > > television, magazines-use all the media. Let them know the name of > > > this place. > > > > > > Because I fear revenge, I regretfully cannot reveal my real identity, > > > but some day I will. > > > > > > May 20, 2002 > > > > > > A business man in his fifties, living in Sucho-gu, Seoul-Chun Am > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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