Give ‘Peas’ a Chance: Vegans Send Kim Jong-un Nonperishable Food Gift From Perishable Humans

For Immediate Release:
August 3, 2017

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

As tensions between the U.S. and North Korea mount, PETA, which says that diplomacy is the prerogative of citizens, not just governments, is responding to news of North Korea’s “gift package” with a gift package of peace. PETA is extending an olive branch to Kim Jong-un with a plea for peace by offering to send a gift basket filled with vegan American food items, including burger mix, hot dogs in a can, popcorn, and apple pie bars—along with vegan Korean foods such as kimchi and a noodle dish.

In a letter sent this morning to North Korea’s United Nations representative, Ja Song Nam, PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that the operators of Alabama’s highest-security prison found that serving inmates vegetarian meals as part of a violence-reduction program resulted in a significant decrease in behavioral problem and wonders if that approach might also work to reduce tensions between posturing nations.

“All species suffer in war, and an all-out nuclear war could mean the destruction of all living beings on the planet,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “It’s easier to work toward diplomatic solutions when nonviolence is part of your everyday life, whether you’re a world leader or an average citizen, and we hope PETA’s gift to Kim Jong-un leads him to a change of heart.”

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA’s letter to Ja Song Nam follows.

August 3, 2017

His Excellency Ja Song Nam

Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations

Via e-mail: [email protected]

Your Excellency,

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide—particularly our millions in the United States. Our charitable purpose is to speak for the billions of animals who suffer at human hands, and if North Korea sends an “unexpected gift” such as an intercontinental ballistic missile to the U.S., members of the human species would not be the only casualties. That is why we’re extending an olive branch on behalf of our constituents and sending you a little peace offering. All species suffer in war, and an all-out nuclear war could mean the destruction of all living beings on the planet.

Since we realize the seriousness of this issue, we are embarking on our own diplomatic mission sending you a package of delicious vegan foods for Kim Jong-un to enjoy. Going vegan is a wonderful statement that rejects the violence in the factory-farming and slaughter industries, and is perhaps a first step toward creating a more respectful relationship with others one may think of as different in some respect. Eating vegan meals has been shown to help curb aggression: At Alabama’s highest-security prison, officials found that serving inmates meat-free meals as part of a violence-reduction program resulted in a significant decrease in behavioral problems. We’re pointing out this link in our call to Kim Jong-un to change his diet, and we hope it leads to a change of heart. You never know!

Whether someone is a world leader or an average citizen, it’s easier to work toward diplomatic solutions when nonviolence is part of your everyday life. Our gift package contains twists on American classics, including vegan hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and wholesome apple pie bars, as well as vegan foods from your country that we enjoy here, such as Korean tea, jjajangmen, and kimchi. These foods aren’t perishable, but humanity is. We look forward to hearing from you about the best way to deliver our peace offering.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid E. Newkirk

President