Kang Hyung-wook "My Wife Is a Second-Generation Tongilgyo... She Hasn't Seen Her Father Since Leaving"

Re-explanation of Controversy Through Interview with Dispatch
Leo Neglect Denied... No Pressure Sores Found

Dog trainer Kang Hyung-wook, CEO of Bodeum Company, spoke for the first time regarding suspicions that his wife Susan Ye-hee Elder is affiliated with the Unification Church. In an interview with Dispatch on the 25th, Kang Hyung-wook explained, "My wife was a second-generation member of the Unification Church," adding, "She became part of that religion because of her parents, not by her own will."

Kang Hyung-wook (right) and his wife Susan Yehee Elder (left).
[Photo by Kang Hyung-wook YouTube screen capture]

He stated that his wife left the Unification Church when she turned 20, emphasizing, "After leaving the Unification Church, my wife hardly saw her father-in-law. (He) didn’t even attend our wedding." Kang also revealed that his wife dreams of "helping second-generation members like herself from the Unification Church."

Regarding claims from dog owners that trainers were only allowed to drink water after permission, Kang said this was a misunderstanding. He explained, "Sometimes guardians bring food or coffee. I told them not to eat in front of the guardians," adding, "It was to avoid making those who didn’t bring anything feel embarrassed." He continued, "There are several boxes of iced tea stacked in our company’s pantry," and said, "Who could endure not being allowed to drink water? I only told them to focus solely on the class during lessons."

However, Kang admitted to strictly disciplining his staff, saying it was to prevent accidents while working with aggressive dogs. He said, "In my effort to teach diligently, I was sensitive, got angry, and even cursed," adding, "I didn’t realize those things could leave scars. I want to apologize." Kang also readdressed 16 controversies he previously explained on YouTube, including claims that holiday gifts were given in dog waste bags and that company messenger chats were monitored.

In response to comments alleging that the adopted police dog Leo was left on a hot rooftop covered in urine and feces, Kang explained, "Leo had paralysis in his hind legs and urinated involuntarily every time he breathed, and defecated whenever he struggled," adding, "We could no longer keep him at home." Kang said he brought Leo to the company rooftop, where trainers could take care of him when he was absent, stating, "Every dawn, we washed his body thoroughly with a hose. Leo couldn’t even drink water properly at the end."

During this process, Kang deeply pondered whether he was truly caring for Leo. He began considering euthanasia in June 2022. The veterinarian who cared for Leo told Dispatch, "In June 2022, Kang first asked about euthanasia procedures. But he canceled about three times," adding, "He said, ‘I can’t do it. I want to stay a little longer.’ I told him, ‘Let me know whenever you’re ready.’"

The veterinarian continued that in November of the same year, Kang contacted them saying, "I think it’s time to let Leo go," and euthanasia was performed. He said, "Leo said goodbye to the Bodeum Company family. Kang Hyung-wook and his wife kept crying." He also explained that large dogs with hind leg paralysis lose muscle and have thin skin, making it difficult to avoid pressure sores, but Leo was well cared for. "There wasn’t a single pressure sore on his ischium," he said.