Protest at Moran Dog Meat Market

Guest article by Greg Mount

On Saturday, August 13^th, EK Park organized a demonstration at the Moran dog meat market in Seoul, Korea. The protest is timed to mark Malbok, the last day of Boknal, the dog days of summer, during which thousands of dogs are slaughtered to make dog meat soup.

This protest comes on the heels of the July 23^rd march in Seoul, which was (to our knowledge) the largest demonstration against the dog meat trade ever held in Korea. Simultaneous demonstrations were held in cities around the world, and the community response was incredible.

Moran is the Front Line

The Moran protest, however, is a very different affair, in that it will be held right on the doorstep of Korea’s largest dog meat market. On a personal note, I have mixed feelings about this one. While talking to EK yesterday, I was inspired by the courage and commitment these demonstrators are showing by going face-to-face with the dog meat trade in a peaceful demonstration. On the other hand, I can’t help but worry about what might happen tomorrow and wish that I could do more to help. The possibility of conflict is real.

While I sit peacefully sipping coffee in front of my computer in Toronto, EK and the other demonstrators venture out into the oppressive heat to face the dog meat vendors. In the background, numerous dogs are packed into cages waiting to be selected and butchered. This is truly the front line of the struggle to end the dog meat trade, and I can’t image the amount of courage it takes to step up.

Show Your Support

What can we do to show our support? For the last few days, I’ve been contemplating what we can do to support and encourage the brave demonstrators in tomorrow’s protest. After talking to EK, we decided that perhaps the best thing to do would be to send a message of encouragement to show that the international community is behind them and that they are not alone.

If you want to show your support to the demonstrators in tomorrow’s protest, leave a comment on this article with your words of encouragement. What would you like to say to these brave souls to inspire courage on the eve of this protest? Have your say in the comments below, and EK will be sure to pass on the message at the demonstration.

Let’s show our comrades that we support their efforts to promote compassion over cruelty for the dogs of Korea. Leave a comment and show your support.