As year-end gatherings unfold across South Korea, vegetarians are voicing difficulties in having their dietary choices respected, particularly in social and workplace settings. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – As year-end gatherings unfold across South Korea, vegetarians are voicing difficulties in having their dietary choices respected, particularly in social and workplace settings. While gatherings of friends offer some flexibility for alternative menu options, expressing dietary preferences for company dinners, often featuring meat-heavy menus, remains a challenge.
A 24-year-old vegan, who abstains from all animal products and wished to remain anonymous for the purposes of this article, described a turning point when the meat-centric culture began to feel bizarre. The idea of confining and forcibly breeding animals only to be consumed was perceived as cruel.
Starting a vegan lifestyle out of concern for the lives sacrificed for human consumption, the individual noted that being vocal about these beliefs often leads to being labeled as sensitive, especially during year-end celebrations where abstaining from communal meat dishes can be socially awkward.
Another individual who wished to remain anonymous, a 28-year-old flexitarian (a vegetarian who occasionally eats meat), was inspired three years ago by a UN Food and Agriculture Organization report highlighting that livestock emissions account for 18 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
After sharing this information at work, the flexitarian’s employer shifted company dinners to Chinese or sushi restaurants. However, the individual said that they still feel uncomfortable when colleagues eagerly suggest going for beef when they are absent.
“I feel uneasy thinking others can’t eat what they want because of me. Sometimes, I just go along to a meat restaurant, trying not to be too stubborn, and end up eating meat,” the flexitarian added.
Vegetarianism is on the rise in South Korea. According to the Korean Vegetarian Union, the vegetarian population surged from about 150,000 in 2008 to an estimated 1.5 to 2 million last year.
A survey by Hankook Research, conducted from May 12-15 with 1,000 adults nationwide, found that 4 percent identify as vegetarians. Additionally, 12 percent are not vegetarians but aspire to be.
Considering South Korea’s population, the number of adult vegetarians is estimated to be around 1.76 million. Including those who aspire to vegetarianism, the total could surpass 7 million.
However, societal consideration for different food preferences, like vegetarianism, is still lacking. Vegetarians hope for their dietary choice to be recognized as a legitimate culture, akin to an allergy where one cannot eat certain foods.
“It would be great if people naturally inquired about any dietary restrictions, just as they would for someone with a peach allergy, recognizing that some people cannot eat meat,” the flexitarian said, expressing hope that Koreans would become more understanding in the future.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
