'Pungsangae Return' to Moon... Heo Eun-ah: "Pets Are Not Beings to Be Taken and Abandoned"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Criticism from ruling party lawmakers continued after former President Moon Jae-in's side announced that they would return the Pungsan dogs 'Gomi' and 'Songgang,' which were gifted by Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, during the third inter-Korean summit in 2018, to the Presidential Archives.

On the 7th, Heo Eun-ah, a member of the People Power Party, wrote on her social network service (SNS), "You said it was a precious gift when you took them, but now you are giving them up using economic burden as an excuse. It is disappointing to see former President Moon's perception and attitude toward his companion dogs," adding, "Pets are not beings to be taken and abandoned based on emotions."

Another member of the same party, Kwon Seong-dong, also criticized on SNS, "Outwardly, they posted photos of their pets on social media to attract attention, but inwardly, were they reluctant to pay for the dog food? It is truly petty and embarrassing."

Referring to reports that former President Moon's side had signed an agreement to receive budget support for the expenses needed to care for the Pungsan dogs, he said, "Seeing a former president trying to get taxpayer money because they are reluctant to pay for dog food makes one guess what kind of mindset they had while governing the country. Even ordinary citizens do not shamelessly demand care expenses after adopting a dog," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, former President Moon's side posted an official statement on SNS that day, stating, "We intend to return the Pungsan dogs ‘Gomi’ and ‘Songgang,’ which were entrusted to us for management by the Presidential Archives, back to the Presidential Archives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.