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Dog will remain on Korean World Cup menus
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A South Korean restaurateur is vowing to keep dog on his menu during the World Cup, despite a plea by FIFA for the country to impose a ban.
Lee Hak-soo says he will continue to sell his top speciality.
He says he'll keep hawking the traditional Korean delicacy behind the scenes, even if the government imposes the temporary ban.
"No one has the right to tell us not to eat it," said Lee, who sells spicy dog soups and casseroles.
"I am angered to see our government bowing to foreign pressure, unable to defend our food culture."
Korean dog meat lovers are bracing for what many believe is the inevitable prohibition of their favourite food during soccer's premier event, which will be co-hosted by South Korea.
Under international pressure, the government closed down thousands of dog-meat restaurants during the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. But thousands still thrive in back alleys and in the countryside.
The issue drew fresh attention this week when FIFA, soccer's world governing body, urged South Korea to impose a similar ban during the World Cup, scheduled for May 31-June 30. Japan is South Korea's co-host.
"I can just imagine what our government will do about dog meat restaurants during the World Cup," fumed Lee, vowing to simply take down his signboard and continue cooking up his standard fare.
Many Koreans take the dog meat criticism as a slight to their tradition and culture.
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Item supplied by
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Ananova. (Story filed: 15:08 Friday 9th November 2001)
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