In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gifted a pair of Pungsan dogs to Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the Jindo dog is a representative breed of South Korea, the Pungsan dog is the iconic native breed of North Korea. Additionally, the traditional Korean dog, the Japsal dog, has historically been considered a symbol of warding off misfortune and bringing good fortune, though it nearly faced extinction during the Japanese colonial period.
(Photo: KCNA, Yonhap News. For domestic use only. Redistribution prohibited.
) SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – In a remarkable display of soft power, Russia and North Korea have deepened their military and diplomatic relationship through the exchange of exotic animals, signaling a new facet of their growing alliance. On November 20, Russia gifted North Korea a collection of animals, including a lion, two brown bears, two yaks, and over 70 birds and other creatures, such as a cockatoo, pheasants, and mandarin ducks.
These animals were transferred from the Moscow Zoo to the Central Zoo in Pyongyang, following a directive from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources described the gifts as “a present from President Putin to the people of North Korea.” This isn’t the first time Russia has sent animals to North Korea.
Earlier this year, in April, the Moscow Zoo donated eagles, pythons, and other creatures to the Pyongyang zoo. In August, Russia also exported 24 Orlov Trotter horses to North Kor.