Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Dogs gifted by Turkmenistan's president to arrive in Korea next Tuesday
President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee pose for a photo with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and his wife while holding the Alabai puppies at a state banquet at a hotel in Ashgabat, Monday. Joint Press Corps
By Kwak Yeon-soo
A pair of dogs gifted by Turkmenistan’s president during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit will arrive in Korea on Tuesday, according to the presidential office, Friday.
Yoon, a dog lover, received a pair of Turkmen shepherd puppies — locally known as Alabai — from President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, on Monday as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Alabai is officially listed as Turkmenistan’s national heritage.
“President Yoon will raise the dogs at the presidential residence. With two Alabai dogs, the president will raise a total of eight dogs,” an official at the presidential office said. The names of the puppies haven’t been decided yet.
Yoon and his wife are known to live with six dogs — Saeromi, Tory, Narae, Mari, Sunny and Olly — and five cats since they tied the knot in 2012.
First lady Kim Keon Hee is known to be a strong advocate of animal rights. She has openly supported a ban on all types of dog meat consumption.
In January this year, the National Assembly unanimously passed a bill banning the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption. The bill is set to be enforced from 2027. A ban on dog meat consumption was one of Yoon’s presidential campaign promises.
The official noted that many foreign leaders, including Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, have introduced puppies of domestic and rare breeds to Yoon during his state visits.