Page 111 - Almanacco_ENG_2014

south koreathe country has experienced runaway growth, characterized by industrialization and the abandonment oF the countryside, but true development must value local resources and communitiesKoReanbiodiversityKim sunghoon and Kim JonduKIt all started with the organization of an international event last year. AsiO Gusto set the tone for the important task of both increasing Slow Food numbers in Korea and formulating a systematic approach to protecting biodiversity. So far eight “passengers” have been nominated for entry into the Ark of Taste and the launch of a Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity in Korea is being planned.chicken and fiSh at riSkKorean candidates for the Ark of Taste are proposed by a special committee, which at the moment is particularly concerned about the government’s decision to indiscriminately cull ducks and chickens – including the Yeonsan Ogye breed – because of bird flu fears. A more selective policy has been sug- gested to the government, with thesupport of other associations essen- tial in criticizing the excessive safety measures being imposed by the gov- ernment. The national media has also played a crucial role, and the case of the Yeonsan Ogye breed has attracted great attention.Another worrying issue is the plundering of marine resources by large Chinese fishing boats, which tend to use trawl- ing techniques. These boats, of which there are almost 550, have caused the collapse of stocks of Ulleung squid in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Accord- ing to estimates, the squid population has declined by 60% in the past three years. The progressive fall in marine re- sources has triggered a profound crisis in local communities that rely on these resources to make a living.The seriousness of the situation will bring the issues of Slow Fish to the111