14 DAY TRIAL // Just recently, we reported on South Korea's planning to hunt down and kill whales, supposedly for the benefit of marine research.
However, as environmentalists and conservationists worldwide intervene and argue against this decision, the country agrees to give up on the idea.
Thus, finding itself under ever-increasing pressure from Australia, the US and several other nations, South Korea comes to understand that perhaps it might not be such a good thing to launch its so-called scientific whaling program.
Given the fact that this country's research methods involve killing the animals, it is no wonder that green-heads from around the world salute this nation's decision to step back and allow others to study these endangered marine mammals.
Truth be told, most people agree that the main drive behind South Korea's plans to hunt whales was not at all research, but the desire to help boost the national fishing industry.
This claim is based on the fact that the meat taken from these animals is part and parcel of this nation's traditional cuisine.
Some go as far as to state that, although South Korean fishermen argue that they only kill whales who accidentally get caught up in their nets, it is possible that illegal hunting campaigns are carried out in this part of the world.
As The Australian informs us, it is quite likely that South Korea's sudden opinion shift stems from the strong opposition the country encountered when officially announcing its plans.
More so seeing how in the past Japan was taken to court by Australia on account of whaling programs which went against global conservation efforts.
Regardless of whether South Korea's giving up on whale hunting is a result of fear of repercussions or not, the fact remains that, for the time being, these inhabitants of our planet's oceans seem to have made a very narrow escape.
The International Whaling Commission congratulated South Korea on this announcement, and argued that the country's responsiveness to opposing arguments is indeed praise-worthy.