Pudding, a dog who lost her owner in the Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport, visits the memorial altar for victims set up in front of Seoul City Hall on the afternoon of January 5. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — On Sunday, a somber scene unfolded at the memorial altar near Seoul City Hall for victims of the recent Jeju Air tragedy. Among the mourners was “Pudding,” a dog who lost her entire family, including her 80-year-old owner, in the disaster.
Pudding, now cared for by the animal rights group Care, had been wandering alone in her rural village in Yeonggwang County before being rescued. Wearing a blue sweater, the dog was carried into the memorial by a volunteer at around 2 p.m.
As the group offered flowers and bowed in silence, Pudding gazed at the altar, appearing quiet and subdued.
The tragedy claimed the lives of nine members of Pudding’s family, including her owner, the eldest victim of the incident. The family had been celebrating the owner’s 80th birthday with a trip abroad but never returned home.
A Step Toward Healing
Care brought Pudding to the memorial as a symbolic gesture of closure before she begins a new chapter with an adoptive family. “We felt it was important for Pudding to pay her respects before transitioning to a new home,” said Kim Yeong-hwan, Care’s director.
Pudding has garnered significant attention from potential adopters, both domestic and international. “Many have expressed their desire to adopt her, as an extension of their condolences to the victims,” Kim noted.
Care plans to temporarily house Pudding until an adopter is chosen, with formal applications opening as early as January 6th.
For now, Pudding remains a poignant symbol of resilience amid the grief of the tragedy, quietly honoring her family and awaiting a new beginning.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
