South Korea promotes dog meat

Dogs are bred to be eaten in South Korea

By the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Seoul

South Korean defenders of an old culinary tradition, dog meat eating, are launching a new initiative on Monday.

They are aiming to popularise canine cuisine in the run-up to the World Cup finals, which are being jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan in May and June.

A group of dog meat restaurant owners are to set up a nationwide federation, while a one day seminar will discuss ways of promoting dog meat.

Restaurants near the World Cup stadium are to be publicised

The issue has become controversial, with animal rights activists around the world - including French campaigner and former actress Brigette Bardot - denouncing the practice.

Many critics are concerned by the illegal way that some dogs are killed to make the meat more tender, including beating and hanging.

Fighting back

The controversy surrounding dog meat eating in South Korea refuses to disappear.

Now around 100 dog meat restaurant owners are planning to fight back at their critics.

They are launching a nationwide federation to promote dog meat to foreign visitors in the run up to the World Cup.

They plan to launch websites in English and Japanese to promote the eating of dog meat and defend it as part of the national culture.

The sites will publicize restaurants near World Cup stadium and there are plans to hold sampling parties for foreigners.

Dogs are bred to be eaten in South Korea, mainly in a spicy stew called poshintang, which is said to improve health and virility and is considered a delicacy by many.

Recipes

During the seminar on canine cusine the restaurant owners will discuss ways of promoting the business.

At the meeting a food science professor, Ahn Yong-keun - nicknamed Dr Dog Meat - will present some of his 350 recipes for dishes using dog meat and discuss ways of developing the industry.

The meeting will also collect signatures backing moves by law-makers to introduce a bill legalizing the sale of dog meat.

Backers say if passed, the law would allow officials to regulate the industry and crack down on those who kill dogs in inhumane ways.