South Korea’s Moon Jae-in to give up dogs gifted by Kim Jong-un in ‘regretful’ move for ex-president

The white Pungsan dogs are legally categorised as state property, but the ex-president took them to his personal residence after his term ended in May

Moon’s office said he was entrusted with the dogs under an agreement that has since fallen apart because of his successor’s ‘unexplained opposition’

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Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook pictured in 2018 holding puppies born from one of the dogs gifted by North Korea. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office Handout via Reuters

Published: 3:39pm, 7 Nov 2022Updated: 4:19pm, 7 Nov 2022

South Korea’s former President Moon Jae-in said on Monday he plans to give up a pair of dogs sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a gift following 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 in the South 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 under consultations with the archives and the interior ministry, an unprecedented decision.

Happier times … North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shakes hands in 2018 with then-South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the border village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone. Photo: Korea Summit Press Pool via AP

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 incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol, Moon’s office said.

“The presidential office seems to be negative towards entrusting the management of the Pungsan dogs to former President Moon,” Moon’s office said on Facebook.

“If that’s the case, we can be cool about it, as such an entrustment is based on the goodwill of both sides … though ending it is regretful given they are companion animals he grew attached to.”

Yoon’s office denied foiling the move, saying the agencies are still discussing and it has not played any role. According to a report in The Korea Times, it was Yoon who had initially recommended Moon keep the dogs.