Australia to oppose Korean whaling plan

AUSTRALIA’S top diplomat in Seoul will tell the South Korean government that Australia opposes its plan to resume whaling, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

The plan revealed at the International Whaling Commission talks in Panama has raised the ire of animal welfare groups and prompted calls by the Australian Greens and the coalition for swift diplomatic action.

Ms Gillard said Australia remains completely opposed to whaling, whether for commercial or scientific reasons.

“There’s no excuse for scientific whaling,” she told reporters in Melbourne.

“I have instructed our ambassador in South Korea to raise this matter today at the highest levels of the Korean government.”

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