Moon’s pets made appearances on his social media accounts prior to the election, which left a good impression on voters who were concerned about animal welfare along with his animal-friendly policies. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Now that South Korea’s newly elected president Moon Jae-in has been sworn into office, public attention is turning to whether his pets – rescued dog Maru and cat Jjingjjingi – will accompany him to the Blue House as the very first First Dog from a shelter and First Cat in the history of South Korean politics.
Moon’s pets made appearances on his social media accounts prior to the election, which left a good impression on voters who were concerned about animal welfare along with his animal-friendly policies.
However, speculation is growing that Moon’s cat Jjingjjingi might not be able to make it to the Blue House after all, as she is in the hands of Moon’s daughter, with some asking for a new social media account dedicated to the cat to be opened, through which they can get current information about her whereabouts and activities.
Earlier this month, Moon’s campaign team announced that he would adopt another rescued dog named Tori, saying that the adoption would send a message that both humans and animals have “a right to be free from prejudice and discrimination.”
Tori, a black Jindo mix dog, was rescued two years ago by animal rights group Care, preventing him from being killed for food, but the prejudice in South Korea against black dogs has stopped him from being adopted by a loving family.
During the last presidential campaign in 2012, Moon said he would take his pets into the Blue House with him if elected president.
Tori, a black Jindo mix dog, was rescued two years ago by animal rights group Care, preventing him from being killed for food, but the prejudice in South Korea against black dogs has stopped him from being adopted by a loving family. (Image: Animal rights group ‘Care’)
Amid a growing number of pet owners in South Kores, Moon has publicly pledged to uphold animal rights, promising to encourage the adoption of rescue animals, curb dolphin shows, and gradually put an end to Korean dog meat culture.
Last month, Moon stopped at the Seoul World Cup Dog Park as part of his campaign to meet with supporters and discuss his pet animal policy.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
