
In the United States, July and August are prime BBQ months. In Korea, the summer is the time when eating dog meat becomes popular.
Although eating dog meat was officially banned in 1991, people in South Korea still consume vast quantities of “Gaegogi” (literally: dog meat) the fourth most popular meat, after pork, beef and chicken. There is even an unofficial ‘holiday’ known as 'Malbok' (August 17 in the Korean lunar calendar) when Koreans - mostly old men - eat lots of dog meat in the belief that it will boost virility. Others believe that dog meat helps keep one cool during the intense Korean summer.
In Defense of Animals has been a leader in exposing this horror by holding protests and vigils. Their next scheduled protest will be held in front of New York’s Korean Visa Office, at 460 Park Avenue, (57th St. & Park Avenue) on July 14, 2009 4-6:30 PM,