South Korea's former President Moon Jae-in is planning to give up dogs gifted to him by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Moon Jae-in is having to give up dogs gifted by Kim Jong-un
The decision has been taken as a result of differences between him and the current South Korean government over who will be fund looking after the dogs.
The pooches were gifted to Moon by the North Korean dictator after a summit in 2018. They remained under the politician's care after he left office earlier this year but are now going to be returned to the state.
The white Pungsan dogs - Gomi and Songgang - are legally categorised as state property belonging to the presidential archives.
An agreement with the new interior mystery stated that supplies and expenses for looking after the animals could be paid for from a state budget.
Local reports put the expenses at 2.5 million won ($1,800 a month) but Moon's office says that the agreement collapsed due to "unexplained opposition" from the administration of his successor President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Moon's office said on Facebook: "The presidential office seems to be negative toward entrusting the management of the Pungsan dogs to former President Moon.
"If that's the case, we can be cool about it, as such an entrustment is based on the goodwill of both sides... though ending it is regretful given they are companion animals he grew attached to."