Hwang Kyo-ik: "Citizens Awake Must Be Angry at the Smallest Chicken on Earth"

Appealing to the Media to "Report the Facts Accurately"

Food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik has been repeatedly claiming that "Korean chicken uses excessively small chickens and lacks flavor." This time, he urged, saying, "Being angry about small chickens is the proper attitude of an awakened citizen."

On the 29th, Hwang wrote on his Facebook, "'The power of awakened citizens' should not remain just a slogan for democratization struggles. Although the entrenched corrupt forces still persist, democracy in the Republic of Korea has greatly advanced, and now our focus should turn to everyday life," he said.

He continued, "The price of food in the Republic of Korea is among the highest in the world. To correct this, the power of awakened citizens is necessary," adding, "Why must chicken be so expensive? Being angry about the 'smallest chicken on Earth' packed in a chicken box is the proper attitude of an awakened citizen."

On the same day, Hwang also posted another message requesting, "Please report the facts as they are."

He emphasized, "I cannot provide advertising fees, sponsorship fees, or promotional fees to journalists. However, if you simply report the facts I speak of appropriately as they are, the chicken you eat with your colleagues or family can become more plentiful."

He also asked rhetorically, "Isn't it worth considering that you should write articles truthfully not for me, but for your colleagues and family?"

Statement issued by the Korea Poultry Association regarding Mr. Hwang's claims about Korean broilers. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

Recently, Hwang has been criticizing the size and taste of Korean broiler chickens one after another. Earlier, on the 21st, he claimed on Facebook that "It is an 'objective fact' that Korean broiler chickens are almost uniquely small and therefore tasteless worldwide."

He added, "Our country's broiler chickens are almost uniquely small at 1.5kg. They are less tasty and more expensive per weight than the 3kg chickens eaten by citizens worldwide," and pointed out, "Until now, the public has lived with the misplaced pride of being 'citizens of the Chicken Republic' while eating expensive and tasteless chicken."

In response, the Korea Poultry Association issued two statements on the 22nd and 24th criticizing Hwang's claims.

The Poultry Association said, "Hwang Kyo-ik, who disparages domestic chickens, is causing outrage among farmers and related industries engaged in the chicken meat industry, yet he fails to repent and only makes excuses, further fueling our anger," and sharply criticized, "He is making irresponsible remarks that show no concern for the massive damage his false statements could cause to the chicken meat industry."

They also urged, "You mock small chickens as tasteless, but why do you not mention that this is the size consumers want? If you have even a shred of conscience, bow your head and apologize to the consumers who were confused by spreading your personal ignorant opinions as facts to those involved in the chicken meat industry."