The renovations ordered by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the Pyongyang zoo are complete.
According to the Associated Press, the updated facility now includes hippos, elephants, monkeys and … dogs.
Quickly becoming one of the more popular attractions at the zoo, the Dog Pavilion features a variety of breeds including German Shepherds, Shih Tzus and Saint Bernards.
Among the normal canines that fill the large, clean cages are a few from esteemed backgrounds. One of the King Charles Spaniels at the zoo is the former dog of Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong II, which was given to him as gift from the U.S. company Tapco in 1995. Kin Jong Un himself gave the zoo several schnauzers, poodles, German shepherds and a Chihuahua.
While this addition may strike many as odd, it could be a positive sign for animal lovers. Dog is a common dish for some throughout North Korea, South Korea and parts of China. The zoo’s Dog Pavilion is a sign that more North Korean residents are starting to see the animals as pets and not as food.
This comes at a time where pet ownership is increasing in Pyongyang, marked also by the numerous dog training tips posted throughout the zoo’s Dog Pavilion.
