[Opinion] `No Holds Barred` Fight on Bo Shin Tang

The controversy over bo shin tang is getting bigger. It is even more controversial than during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Korea has been through a whole lot of hardships, entered the OECD, and is now ready to hose to World Cup. Its proponents argue that they will not just succumb to pressure if the nation begins to target bo shin tang. They unhesitatingly respond, "Are Koreans the only people who eat dogs?" "How about you people who eat horses and snails?"

After the argument with Brigitte Bardot on air, the debate on the bo shin tang issue has become hotter. Bardot, who formerly built her career on her looks, has aged as an animal rights activist. She stood on the side of the dogs and seemed to enjoy beating on Korea. She would say without hesitation, "People who eat dogs are barbarians." or "Koreans are liars."

She announced that she received over 1000 emails of protest from Koreans. She used our venting to profit her business. Although she obstinately proceeds in the same manner in interviews with Korean stations, she asserts that the majority of people are `on the side of the dogs`. Dogs are part of the family in Europe and the U.S. Eating dog meat is like eating their pet poodle or chiwawa for Westerners.

This is precisely a cultural bias and difference. Westerners do not know that many people in Korea also do not eat dog meat, disapprove it, and insist that others should not eat dogs. They do not know that there are support groups for Jindo and Sapsal dogs. They cannot know that special restaurants cannot put up signs for dog meat and have to disguise it by putting up signs for `sa chul tang` or `bo shin tang`.

A bias or prejudice is wrong to begin with but it is not easy to get rid of simply for that reason. Biases emerging from differences in culture and values can create discord and conflict, even lead to war. They are very complex things. Hence, Bardot`s use of her bias to conduct her business may have its own place.

It is also worth considering whether it is wise to just condemn Western biases and vent our anger at Westerners. Of course, we have much to say to them. "If you love animals so much, why do you not stop bullfights that kill bulls with swords? What about eating veal?" How about eating live monkey brains, fattening geese liver with artificial machines, and other real cruel acts toward animals? This is right and just response.

But will venting our anger get rid of the image of Koreans as dog-eaters which Bardot is pushing? Animal rights groups` web pages feature pictures of dogs violently hung to death, skinning them and cutting them to pieces, and pieces of dog legs for sale on street markets. They call the 20 or so Korean National Assembly members devils for proposing laws on butchering dog meat.

Correcting a bias requires time, long-term vision, and patience. We have to help others understand that Koreans do not mistreat pets and how Korean history and tradition of food developed in a different way. We must refrain from the violent beating of dogs to death and change the method of distributing the meat which will look unsanitary to the foreigner. We also need to acknowledge that it is difficult to force a confrontation and correct the prejudices right away.

We have to host the World Cup successfully, an event which is drawing close. With this economic opportunity for the nation just around the corner, it is foolish to insist on national pride. Although our traditional dress is incomparably beautiful, those who actually sell the dress to buyers abroad do not insist on meeting them with the dress on. Kimchi, traditional soups, and garlic are all amazing Korean foods, but we know well that their smell may be hard for foreigners to take.

It is wise to try to understand the cultural differences between seller and buyer. If, however, the buyer is caught in her prejudice and is on the brink of leaving, it is much more smart for the seller to take a step back and try to accommodate her. To wage a no holds barred fight over email and the web on the bo shin tang issue may relieve stress, but it does not seem like the smart thing to do.

seescheme@donga.com