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Singing in Style – Hongdae's Luxury Noraebangs
Home Away from Home in the Heart of Seoul
Unique Cafes in Hongdae
Punk in the Park: The Purge Movement
Zelen: It Just Keeps Getting Better
Exec by Day, Hardcore Frontman by Night
Music Gizmos: MONO Cases for All
Partying on the Peninsula
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Bear Necessity
I wish to take this opportunity to share some information about our issue, and to introduce Bear Necessity Korea's vision.
The Asiatic Black bear plays a paramount role in Korea’s founding
myth. As the legend goes, the nation was founded by the union of a
bear-woman and the son of the Lord of Heaven, Hwan-ung.
There are fewer than 20 Asiatic Black Bears roaming the Korean
wild today, and they are kept in a highly monitored region of Jirisan
National Park, and marketed as a tourist attraction. In contrast to
their numbers in the wild, a staggering 1600 suffer in terribly
inhumane, highly unregulated conditions at bear bile farms, awaiting
slaughter. This is due to the practice of bear bile farming and the
demands of traditional Asian medicine. This barbaric trade was
initiated by the Korean government in the 1980s. Instead of taking
initiative to create a solution for this urgent issue, Korea is turning
a blind eye and allowing a dying practice to continue.
Korea remains one of 2 countries to allow this gruesome trade to continue, despite the safe and affordable option of artificial UDCA (bear bile’s prized component), and its 54 herbal alternatives (*ACRES). The demand for bear gall has inspired a lucrative black market ring which has infiltrated neighbouring countries, preying upon often uneducated citizens. We believe that Korea needs and deserves a sanctuary, and the government is morally, financially and ethically obliged to support it. Korea's bile farms are counter productive to a country that prides itself on being a responsible and enlightened player in the global community. It's time for Korea to experience change. We can improve the future for bears and people in Korea, and help ensure that future generations may enjoy the majestic moonbear. Bear Necessity Korea is a volunteer-based organization
We aspire to support all organizations who oppose bear bile farming. We believe in community. When you educate yourself about this issue, sign our petition, join our network on facebook (link is http://www.facebook.com/Kelly. Stay tuned for news, lesson plans, events and opportunities, now available from Seoulstyle.com. Together we can re-instate the moonbear as the mother of Korea, and save a dying species from a life of constant torture. Every single supporter makes a difference. Yours in Solidarity, Kelly Frances McKenna Founder, Bear Necessity Korea
Destination: Daegu International Body Painting Festival (2010) (NSFW)
Destination: Liberation Day at Gwanghwamun
Destination: Gangjin Celadon Festival (2010)
A Matter of Context: Acclimating to Asia, Philosophically
Destination: Jeseungdang / Hansan-do (Tongyeong)
Trying to Globalize Hanshik? Talk to Cathlyn Choi-Michelson
Distorted Reality: Raul Pizarro |
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On behalf of Bear Necessity Korea, a big bear-hug and thank you to
the entire Seoulstyle.com Team for choosing to make Bear Necessity
Korea their official non-profit organization for 2010. We look forward
to big changes this year and we cherish this unique chance to spread
the word about the plight of Korea's Moonbears.
