Puppy love helps unite Koreas

From Pyongyang with love: Unity and Independence

With South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's return from his historic summit in Pyongyang, two furry friends have begun settling into their new home in the Blue House, the president's official residence in Seoul.

The exchange of pets was part of a groundbreaking summit

The two dogs, named Unity and Independence, were gifts from the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, to his southern counterpart.

In return President Kim presented his host with Peace and Reunification - a pair of rare Jindo hunting dogs.

The exchange of pets symbolised the softer side of the summit and appears to have proved an endearing "ice-breaker" for a meeting between the leaders of two states still officially at war.

The Jindo dog is a true Korean indigenous dog living together with humans and adapting to the environment and nature

Korean National Dog's Association

Officials say the choice of gifts was intended to promote the idea of friendship between the two Koreas and help cement the idea that the citizens of each country are, in fact, one people.

The breeds of dog exchanged are both regarded as native to Korea and the Jindo in particular is famed for its loyalty, fierceness and homing ability.

Five years ago South Korean media carried reports of a Jindo sold to a new owner who lived more than 200 miles away.

Peace and Reunification: Kim Dae-jung's gifts for the North Korean leader

The dog promptly escaped and two months later turned up back at its original home.

In this case though a repeat performance is considered unlikely given the four kilometre-wide border of tank traps, landmines and razor-wire that lies between the dogs' new home in North Korea, and their former home in the South.

Dogs' life

A growing number of Koreans are opposed to the dog meat trade

To many outsiders the combination of Koreans and dogs could be regarded as being bad news for the latter.

But although dog meat is a traditional aspect of Korean cooking, dogs for pets or hunting and dogs for eating have always been regarded as entirely separate animals.

As the Korean National Dog's Association says on its website: "A dog eater will not eat one's own pet dog. This is because the dog is part of his family."

Indeed, contrary to popular opinion the sale and consumption of dog meat is actually illegal in South Korea.

The ban was introduced in a bid to forestall bad international publicity ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, although many restaurants still serve dog dishes illicitly.

South Korea is also home to a growing dogs' rights movement which campaigns against cruelty and moves to re-legalise the trade.