The controversy over Korean dog meat eating has come to Los Angeles.

A group called In Defense of Animals embarked on an “International Day Of Action For South Korean Dogs And Cats” at the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. and at the Korean consulate in Los Angeles.

Their beef?

Reports that a Korean tradition of eating dog meat during heat waves has reemerged as South Korea deals with catastrophic temperatures this summer.


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Several reports today noted that the tradition of “Bok-Nal” was back as a way to beat the dog days of summer. Some in Korea believe that eating canine increases stamina during high-temp days.

South Korea has had more above-95-temp days than in any year since 1994.

We reached out to the Korean Cultural Center in L.A. but had yet to hear back.

[Added at 12:40 p.m.]: Rick Phillips, public relations manager at the center, says these protests seem to emerge in waves every decade or so, noting that even Brigitte Bardot once launched a campaign against Korean dog meat.

However, he says eating dog is a rare custom:

I think that it's an overreaction. I would say a majority of Koreans do not parttake in this tradition. When I was there in the '90s and asked about it, Koreans weren't to thrilled to hear about it. They knew it maligned the image of the country.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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