The start of the 15th Ulsan Whale Festival was postponed from April 22 to July 1, the Ulsan city government said Wednesday.
The delay came as the sinking of the naval ship Cheonan shocked the nation and the organizers thought the large festival during a national mourning period wouldn't be appropriate.
The organizing committee of the festival planned to expand the use of whale meat by creating dishes such as whale burgers, whale pizza and whale pasta at the three-day event, which will now end on July 4.
In Korea, whaling is strictly prohibited and only those that are severely wounded or found "accidentally" caught in nets or dead on the seashore are permitted for distribution.