North Korea makes a friendly overture to South Korea in the form of 2 rare dogs


If it comes to receiving "beautiful letters" from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un or a pair of adorable pups, the canines win every time.
On Sunday, the Blue House, the official residence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, shared that North Korea gave South Korea two Pungsans, rare Korean hunting dogs, as a gift, along with several pounds of food. During Moon's most recent visit to Pyongyang, Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, brought up the idea of giving Moon dogs with "certificates of pedigree." The pups — named Songgang and Gomi — will live at the Blue House, joining Moon's other dogs, Maru and Tory, and cat Jjing-Jjing.
There is history behind the gift — in 2000, Kim Jong Il presented Kim Dae-jung with two Pungsan puppies named Uri and Duri, and in return, he received two Jindo dogs named Peace and Reunification.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
5 bunker-busting cartoons about the Israel-Iran war
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on Iran waiting for Pete Hegseth to leak war plans and Donald Trump's wish for a Nobel prize
-
Malaysia's delicious food and glorious beaches
The Week Recommends From 'colourful' George Town to the 'jungled interior' of Langkawi, Malaysia is incredibly diverse
-
Is the US sliding into autocracy?
Talking Point Donald Trump's use of federal troops on home ground, dismissal of dissent and 'braggadocious' military posturing are all symptoms of a shifting political culture
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read