(photo © 경북매일신문 & kbmaeil.com)

An unprecedented outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease hit Korea on November 29 and has spread across the country. The disease is out of control and in an effort to stop it, the Korean government has decided to start vaccinating cattle, but not pigs.

KARA had urged an aggressive vaccination policy that included pigs, but this went unheeded and now it's too late. More than 500,000 animals have been slaughtered so far and more than 250,000 of them were pigs. Most of them died horrific deaths by being buried alive.

(photo © 경인일보 kyeongin.com) See more images below and here.

It is unbelievable that this barbaric practice is occurring in a modern country. KARA is planning protests and awaiting volunteers.

As soon as news got out a rush protest was held by one person carrying signs that say, "Pigs are buried alive. Vaccinate pigs. Stop burying alive animals."

This was outside a subway station exit. A good spot.

"Pigs are buried alive. Vaccinate pigs. Stop burying animals alive."

Update, January 4, 2011:

On the last day of 2010, KARA's Director mounted a one-person protest outside government offices. She was joined by others later.

Press were there and she brought a lot of attention to the issue. Here is one of many Korean news items on the culling and the protests about it.

Apart from these, the world has remained silent, despite it being like something out of a science-fiction nightmare.

(photo © 경인일보 kyeongin.com)

Reports have come through that people in Paju city have "blood water" coming out of their taps. See more here.

KARA's letter alerting other animal rights groups around the world in December, 2010.

KARA's public information release in English.

Update, January, 9, 2011

After contacting Compassion in World Farming and helping out with information and images, the news has gone viral and spread around the world. News agencies everywhere have now picked up the story.

We hope this will add to the pressure on the Korean government to cease the horrendous practice of burying animals alive.

Meanwhile, KARA continues to pressure the government and will be participating in several panels this week over the issue.

Update, January, 18, 2011

KARA has been lobbying and protesting behind the scenes about the cull to government officials.

On the January 12, 2011, Jinkyung of KARA management reported to the National Assembly’s Progress Party, and on January 18, 2011, Director Soonrye Yim reported to the Democratic Labor Party about the crisis concerning the live burial of animals and animal rights.

Several newspapers, radio programs and broadcasts at the National Assembly are made detailed reports and broadcasts on the live culling of animals and the Animal Welfare Rights.

KARA is continuously sending official documents to the president's Blue House (Chung Hwa Dae) and to the Department of Agriculture to get their attention and make our opinions known about the disgusting practice of live burials.

Also, other animal groups around world have been contacted and provided with information to help with international campaigns and protests against live burials in Korea.