Former South Korean President Moon To Hand Over Dog Gift To North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un

Moon Jae-In met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. (Wikimedia Commons/Cheongwadae)

JAKARTA - Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday he would hand over a pair of dogs sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a gift after the 2018 summit of the two leaders, due to a lack of support from his successor.

Moon is known to have had white Pungsan dogs named "Gomi" and "Songgang" since their arrival in the South, taking the two to a private residence after his term ended in May.

The dogs are legally categorized as state property based on the presidential archives. However, Moon's office said he was entrusted with their caretaker under consultation with the archives and the interior ministry, an unprecedented decision.

The agencies have requested legislative amendments to facilitate the move, including financial support. But the attempt failed due to "inexplicable matters" of the incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol's government, Moon's office said.

"The presidential office appears to have a negative attitude 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 rest easy about it, as such trust is based on the goodwill of both parties, although ending it is unfortunate considering they were the companion animals he raised," the office continued.

Separately, President Yoon's Office denied thwarting the move, saying the agency was still discussing it and had not played any role.

Meanwhile, the Chosun Ilbo Daily reported earlier on Monday, citing unnamed government and parliamentary officials, that there was debate over whether to give Moon a monthly subsidy totaling around 2.5 million won.

The interior ministry, which oversees the presidential archives, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An official at the Government Legislation Ministry said his party was not against the idea and discussions were ongoing.