Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in wants to relinquish custody of two dogs donated by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un due to a lack of financial support from the government, his office said Monday.
Les chiens de race Pungsan, a male named Songkang and a female named Gomi, were sent to Moon Jae-in by the north-korean leader as a cadeau après leur troisième sommet à Pyongyang in September 2018, in gage de leur rapide rapprochement diplomatique d ‘then.
Songkang and Gomi gave birth to seven puppies during the presidency of Moon Jae-in, who took the couple and a puppy to his private residence after his term ended in May this year.
The presidential office’s objection to government aid
Under current law, the dogs are legally state property that must be turned over to the presidential archives, but an agreement to turn over the three dogs to Moon Jae-in was signed on the last day of his term, his office explained. in a sentence.
The deal included a provision for government assistance to cover dog care costs, totaling 2.5 million won (about $1,790) per month, according to local reports. But a spokesman for the former head of state said it was not implemented due to an objection from the presidential office of his successor Yoon Suk-yeol, adding that Moon Jae-in was willing to relinquish custody of the dogs to him. .
“In view of the progress made so far, the presidential office appears to be unfavorable to the idea of handing over the management of the Pungsan dogs to former President Moon,” his office said in a statement.
“If so, we can be honest about it,” he said, adding that Moon was ready to end his custody if the government came up with a better management plan.
agitation of public opinion
The presidential office denied the claims made by Moon Jae-in’s office and said discussions between the relevant ministries were still ongoing.
The fate of the Pungsan dogs has sparked public outrage, with netizens asking to take them in.
“Dogs are family. How can they be kicked out just for money?” report a user. Another comments: “As someone who has a dog, I find it difficult to accept this idea. If I could, I would keep the dogs.”
Known for its loyalty and intelligence, the Pungsan breed, a hunting dog with thick cream-white fur, pointed ears and hazel eyes, hails from the region of the same name in North Korea.
Source: BFM TV
