Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr met his Korean
counterpart Kim Sung-Hwan on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit
in Phnom Penh and praised Seoul for its "responsiveness" on the
issue.
He said Kim told him South Korea would take the advice of the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) on the subject, indicating
that plans for "scientific" whaling would not proceed.
"Korea has committed itself to green growth, and is capable of
becoming a global green superpower," Carr said in a statement.
"Its green credentials would not be compromised. I acknowledge
the nation's responsiveness and leadership."
South Korea unveiled its plan at an IWC meeting last week in
Panama, sparking an international outcry. It said it would use a
loophole in a global moratorium that permits killing of whales for
"scientific" research.
Japan already uses the loophole to hunt whales, with the meat
then going on dinner plates. Australia is one of the most vocal
opponents of whaling.