"You Are Coming, People from the Country That Eats Dogs" Youth US Language Study Abroad Canceled

Since Early Last Year, Language Study Abroad Program Launched
Local Animal Group Outraged After Viewing Slaughter Footage
Ganghwa-gun: "Understanding Cultural Differences Is Advisable"

Ganghwa-gun, Incheon City, had to cancel its youth language study program prepared with the help of a sister city in the United States due to local public opinion opposing the domestic dog meat consumption culture.

According to Ganghwa-gun on the 10th, the county had been promoting a youth language study program with Palisades Park City in New Jersey, USA, since early last year.

The plan was to send 12 students recommended from frontline high schools in Ganghwa-gun to Palisades Park City in December last year to provide them with three weeks of English learning and cultural experience opportunities.

However, the plan faced difficulties after Palisades Park City suddenly notified the suspension of cooperation in June last year, and ultimately the plan was canceled.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo source=Pixabay]

The reason the plan fell through was that negative public opinion arose locally after it became known in Palisades Park City that there are farms in Ganghwa-gun that slaughter dogs for consumption. The Palisades Park City side expressed regret to Ganghwa-gun for having to make such a decision.

It is known that American animal welfare organizations, after viewing videos filmed by domestic animal rescue groups alleging illegal dog slaughter, shared through social networking services (SNS), requested Palisades Park City to suspend exchanges with Ganghwa-gun.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

Although Palisades Park City elected a new Korean-American mayor last year, it is reported that the city took a cautious stance on expanding exchanges with Ganghwa-gun, fearing it might be perceived as endorsing Korea’s dog meat consumption culture.

Since establishing a sister city relationship in 2020, Ganghwa-gun and Palisades Park City have conducted online partnerships and exchanged books and gifts among their youth.

A Ganghwa-gun official said, "It is regrettable that the local study program was canceled due to the dog meat consumption controversy, but it is appropriate to understand it as a cultural difference. The overseas study program has recently been relocated to Thailand, and we will continue to expand exchanges with Palisades Park City."