Lack of Regulations on Responsibility and Support for Relevant Institutions
"A Situation Where the Presidential Secretariat Cannot Transfer Even If Desired"
It has been revealed that Seoul Grand Park is responsible for covering the approximately 6.7 million won cost of caring for "Happy" and "Joy," two Alabai dogs that former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife received as gifts during their official visit to Turkmenistan last year.
On November 8 of last year, Seoul Grand Park signed a consignment agreement with the Presidential Archives and has been caring for and managing Happy and Joy since November 11. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Presidential Records Management Act, if a presidential gift is an animal or plant, it must be transferred to an institution capable of managing it efficiently. Although Happy and Joy are classified as presidential records and should have been transferred to the Presidential Archives, it has been reported that Seoul Grand Park took over their care due to circumstances at the Presidential Archives.
On April 27, Yang Bunam, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, released related materials received from Seoul Grand Park. According to these materials, Seoul Grand Park's estimated annual management cost for Happy and Joy amounts to 6,689,800 won. Specifically, this includes 1,368,000 won for feed, 1,320,000 won for medical expenses, and 4,001,800 won for labor costs.
Two Alabai Dogs Gifted to Former President Yoon Sukyeol During His Visit to Turkmenistan Photo by Yonhap News
However, despite Happy and Joy being classified as presidential records, it has been reported that Seoul Grand Park, which is affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is shouldering these related expenses instead of the Presidential Secretariat or the Presidential Archives under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This is because there are no established regulations regarding the responsibilities of relevant institutions, such as the Presidential Archives and the agencies producing presidential records, nor are there grounds for supporting the consigned institution, or procedures for transfer and post-management.
During the transfer process of Happy and Joy, the Presidential Archives was reportedly excluded in practice. The Presidential Secretariat made the decision independently to transfer the dogs to Seoul Grand Park, and as a result, the Presidential Archives was not involved and claims to have no knowledge of the related details.
Regarding this, Representative Yang stated, "A contradictory situation has arisen where presidential records are being managed with local government funds rather than the national budget," emphasizing, "There is a need to establish a management plan for living presidential records that considers animal rights and is based on social consensus."
In an interview with Yonhap News, Cho Youngsam, former head of the Seoul Archives, stated, "It is necessary to clearly define management measures for animal presidential records, including the grounds and procedures for transfer, methods of care, and financial support for the consigned institution." He also added, "There should be regulations requiring the consigned institution to document the animals' growth and any special circumstances and report them regularly to the Presidential Archives."
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