South Korea's prayers for the slaughtered

Hundreds of Buddhists offered prayers yesterday for more than 1.93 million cows, pigs and other animals slaughtered in South Korea's worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Monks said the ceremony in Seoul helped to guide the spirits of the animals to heaven. The animals were killed in an attempt to halt the outbreak, which was first reported in November.

Some monks offered white chrysanthemums, a symbol of grief, and bowed in front of photographs of animals.