South Korea’s former president Moon Jae-in has said he plans to give up a pair of dogs sent by the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as a gift after their 2018 summit, citing a lack of support from his successor.
Moon has raised the white Pungsan dogs, named Gomi and Songgang, since their arrival and took them to his personal residence after his term ended in May.
The dogs are legally categorised as state property belonging to the presidential archives, but Moon’s office said he was entrusted as their caretaker after consultations with the archives and the interior ministry, in an unprecedented decision.
The agencies had sought a legislative amendment to facilitate the move, including financial support. But that effort fell apart due to “unexplained opposition” from the administration of the incumbent president, Yoon Suk-yeol, Moon’s office said.
“The presidential office seems to be negative toward entrusting the management of the Pungsan dogs to former President Moon,” Moon’s office said on Facebook.
Credit: theguardian.com
