A dramatic mock whale killing ceremony in South Korea to protest government plans for a scientific whale hunt.
South Korean officials announced the plans at an International Whaling Commission meeting in Panama City on Thursday - though the country is still to detail its proposal.
Whaling has been banned internationally since 1986 but Japan exploits a loophole allowing whaling for scientific purposes.
Critics say South Korea is doing the same and the move has little to do with science.
(SOUNBITE) (English) SCIENTIST, PAUL SPONG, SAYING:
"My impression from the comments that Korea made is that its request is largely based on the complaints of fisherman who traditionally used to kill whales but aren't allowed to anymore."
This South Korean activist also says the scientific whaling is just a cover-up for commercial whaling and the majority of South Koreas are against whaling.
The minke whales that South Korea proposes hunting are considered an endangered species according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Whales are currently still hunted in Japan, Iceland and Norway.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
