Korea takes another step back from the brink

The Korean Herald reports (9th July) that ‘ The chief Korean delegate to the IWC meeting told local media last Friday that Seoul would not push to resume whaling over objections from the international community.’

As reported here yesterday, it appears that Korean fisheries officials may have overstepped the mark, with the Herald reporting that other Korean ministries may not have been informed of the proposed volte face.

It appears that Seoul officials should have been more cautious in going for making public its decision to resume whaling. Officials from the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, who formed the delegation to the IWC meeting, might have had to hold prior consultation with the Foreign Ministry, the Environment Ministry and other government agencies which are more informed of the international sentiment on the issue.