1.5 Billion Won for Pungsan Dog Returned by Moon... "Budget Waste" Controversy

Indoor Breeding Facility and Medical Equipment Purchase Budget
150 Million Won to Be Included in This Year's Supplementary Budget

Gwangju Metropolitan City plans to invest a budget of 150 million KRW for the management of Pungsan dogs 'Gomi' and 'Songgang,' which were handed over by former President Moon Jae-in. The budget proposal prepared by Gwangju City includes funds for installing indoor breeding facilities for the Pungsan dogs, including high-end medical equipment worth approximately 50 million KRW.

Former President Moon Jae-in is petting his dog at the Blue House residence. A photo released by the Blue House on SNS on February 12, 2021.
[Photo by Blue House]

According to Gwangju City on the 19th, the city plans to propose a budget of 150 million KRW for the breeding facilities of Gomi and Songgang in the first supplementary budget of this year.

The Uchi Park Management Office under Gwangju City took over Gomi and Songgang from Kyungpook National University Hospital on December 9 last year and is currently raising them at Uchi Zoo. Uchi Zoo manages Gomi and Songgang along with their two offspring, 'Byeol,' and two descendants of Pungsan dogs gifted to former President Kim Dae-jung from North Korea.

The budget items to be spent by Gwangju City this time include △indoor ventilation systems and closed-circuit television (CCTV) installation △sand and grass playground creation △suspension bridges and tunnel hurdles △blood analyzers and microbial incubators △dental equipment and X-rays.

Considering the risk of theft and other factors, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung suggested that it would be better to manage the Pungsan dogs indoors. Accordingly, Gwangju City allocated 100 million KRW solely for indoor breeding facilities. Although Uchi Zoo has existing Pungsan dog breeding facilities, the city plans to create an indoor space where Gomi and Songgang can stay together.

Additionally, Gomi and Songgang will have internal medical staff to conduct regular health check-ups and treatment in case of illness. To prepare for situations where self-treatment is not possible, a cooperative system with the Gwangju Veterinary Association will also be established. The plan also includes converting a sanitation worker, scheduled to retire in March, into a breeding-related position to assign a dedicated breeding staff member.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung is welcoming Pungsan dogs 'Gomi and Songgang' during his visit to Uchi Zoo in Buk-gu on December 12 last year.
[Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City]

Some critics argue that the budget spent by Gwangju City's affiliated institutions on breeding Pungsan dogs is excessive. While it is true that Gomi and Songgang are presidential records that must be preserved, they claim that excessive tax spending is inappropriate amid the shrinking economy of ordinary citizens.

Gomi and Songgang are Pungsan dogs gifted by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un after the inter-Korean summit in September 2018. Former President Moon Jae-in raised them before returning them to the government.