The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
  • Translation Award
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Fri, December 6, 2019 | 12:44
Feature
South Koreans fight smog their own way: with pork
Posted : 2019-03-21 11:44
Updated : 2019-03-21 11:47
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down


Whenever dust particles hang thick in the air in South Korea, sales of pork rise due to an old belief.

Has urban pollution got you down?

South Koreans say they have a unique solution for dusty days: a sizzling plate of pork barbeque.

15-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, HAN DONG-JAE, SAYING:

"My mom told me that pork helps - and pork belly is my favorite food - so I eat more pork when it's smoggy like today."

An old belief in South Korea goes - that pork is good for smog.

Coal miners thought all the oil would help the dust slide down their throat.

Though health experts say there's no scientific rationale behind that belief.

A Seoul doctor told Reuters you should, instead, wear a face mask or to just avoid going outside altogether.

But still, on especially hazy days this year pork sales in the country have seen big spikes.

Gettyimagesbank
Gettyimagesbank

49-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, KIM DONG-WOOK, SAYING:


"It feels like oil from the meat washes away the dust in my throat."

South Korea faces a battle against unhealthy air.

A lot of it's from cars and coal-fired power plants but it's not just a domestic problem: smog has been blowing across the border from NorthKorea and China too.

Along with pork air purifiers and masks are seeing a sales boom as well, but not just masks for people.

36-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, CHO EUN-HYE, SAYING:

"His breed requires regular walking, so I have no choice but to make him put on this mask. It's inconvenient but I think we'll have to keep living with that."

Sales of pet masks increased more than 5 times than usual last month, according to Korean pet products maker 'Dear Dog.'

This month new legislation designated South Korea's pollution plague as a 'social disaster' which could potentially unlock emergency funds.

The World Health Organization has warned, air pollution can cause cancer, asthma, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. (Reuters)

Emailwschoi@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter








 
 
  • numberSK Group chairman's wife files for divorce
  • number[POLL] What's your favorite English slogan for Daejeon?
  • numberAWS criticized for 'abusing' Korean clients
  • numberEducation ministry to toughen regulations on language course students
  • numberRetired baseball star hits lifetime home run in Laos
  • numberKorea urged to proactively cope with 'deepfakes'
  • numberHyundai Card breaks hierarchy to spur innovation
  • numberSK chief's divorce could shake up ownership structure
  • numberAre foreign life insurers pulling out of Korea?
  • numberSeoul to host 18th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in 2020
  • Actor Kang Ji-hwan gets suspended prison sentence in rape case Actor Kang Ji-hwan gets suspended prison sentence in rape case
  • Kang Daniel puts K-pop career on hold over anxiety disorder Kang Daniel puts K-pop career on hold over anxiety disorder
  • BTS, 'Parasite' - victims of China's culture protectionism BTS, 'Parasite' - victims of China's culture protectionism
  • Rookie actor Cha In-ha's suicide raises concern of 'Werther effect' Rookie actor Cha In-ha's suicide raises concern of 'Werther effect'
  • Singer Choi Jong-hoon appeals gang-rape conviction Singer Choi Jong-hoon appeals gang-rape conviction
DARKROOM
  • Global climate change: time is running out

    Global climate change: time is running out

  • CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

    CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

  • No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

    No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

  • Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

    Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

  • Halloween

    Halloween

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright