‘Peace dogs’ given to South Korea by Kim Jong Un end up in zoo

Two dogs gifted by Kim Jong Un to South Korea as a ‘gesture of peace’ have ended up at a zoo.

The North Korean dictator gave the white Pungsan hunting dogs, named Gomi and Songgang, to then-South Korean president Moon Jae-in after their historic talks in 2018.

But Mr Moon gave the dogs up last month, blaming a lack of financial support from the current government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Gomi and Songgang were seen by vets before being moved to a zoo in the southern city of Gwangju.

Keepers showed them off to visitors today, parading their new nametags around their necks.

‘Gomi and Songgang are a symbol of peace and South-North Korean reconciliation and co-operation. We will raise them well like we cultivate a seed for peace,’ Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung said.

Gomi and Songgang have had six offspring who were all born after they arrived in South Korea.

One, named Byeol, has been raised in Gwanju zoo since 2019. The five others are in other zoos and a public facility in South Korea.

Gwangju zoo officials said they will try to raise Byeol and her parents together, although they are currently being kept separately because they do not recognise each other.

Gomi and Songgang are officially state property and were raised by Mr Moon at the presidential residence.

He took them to his private home after leaving office in May, but in November he began accusing the Yoon government of refusing to cover their food and veterinary costs, which the new president has denied.

Mr Moon was a champion of reconciliation with North Korea, and arranged diplomatic talks with the rogue state.

But he also faced criticism from his rivals for giving Jong Un time to boost his nuclear capability amid international sanctions.

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