A Korean Shark Irony opus 975
| 11 October 2026 1510 Hours | | Ethics, Behavior, Current Events, Diet, Environment, Food, Ichthyology, Philosophy, Psychology |
For two weeks now, in a South Korean canal,
A shark has been trapped, with no return to sea.
Many efforts have been made to aid its return.
But, so far to no avail; public sympathy runs high.
I researched the relationship between sharks
And the South Korean culture.
South Koreans eat both shark meat and shark fin soup,
However, the cultural roles of the two are completely different.
South Koreans' consumption of shark meat is the highest in the world.
Called dombaegi, this delicacy consists of salted shark meat.
Its cultural use is not daily, but it serves as a ritual food.
Modern concerns include overfishing
And high mercury levels in the meat.
Concerning shark fin soup, it is not a traditional Korean dish.
It was introduced to South Korea by a Taiwanese chef.
South Korean fisheries do not engage in large-scale shark finning.
This ingredient is mostly imported, drawing much protest.
The irony here is that although shark meat is consumed,
Many citizens are helping this shark escape the canal.
As with many human activities, there is no consistent logic.
Their actions regarding killing versus preserving
An important cultural symbol are noteworthy.
And, if this shark is finally coaxed back to sea,
Is its ultimate fate simply to later be recycled for meat?