Bullfighting...in Korea??

For over 1000 years there has been a tradition of bull-fighting in the Gyeongsangbuk-do province of South Korea. That tradition continues in an annual festival that runs from 27 - 31 March 2009 in Cheongdo-gun that will pit Korean teams against Japanese teams.

I myself, don't know quite what to make of this event. If it will be a larger version of pit bulls fighting each other since it is beast against beast...but was actually amazed to even see something like this, just 45 minutes south of Daegu.

I decided to attend this event for many reasons...it is part of South Korea's history...and it quite honestly is a bit shocking to me, and finally not a lot of people are even aware that this event even occurs. I have met ex-patriots that have been here for years who never realized that bullfighting was a celebrated event.

The Cheong Du Bullfighting Festival at the Sossaum (Bullfighting) Stadium, will have over 100 bulls in the competition, and though they describe this event as a sport, there are reports of bulls given soju prior to 'fighting' in the ring. Disturbing, perhaps, but most certainly this is an aspect that should still be explored...that conflicts with a passive view that most might have about Korean culture.