President Moon Jae-in on June 21 said on his social media accounts that he was named a sponsor for Pepe, a tiger residing at Schonbrunn Zoo, by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz during his visit to Vienna.

By Min Yea-Ji and Yoon Hee Young
Photos = President Moon Jae-in's Facebook page

President Moon Jae-in says he was named a sponsor of a tiger named Pepe during his state visit to Austria.

He said on June 21 through his social media that the world's oldest zoo is located in Schonbrunn Palace in Austria. A young Siberian tiger started living at the zoo just before his trip to Austria, the president added, and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz appointed him as the sponsor.

He gave thanks for the designation, which he called "a sincere surprise gift" from the chancellor, who knew that the tiger is considered a symbolic animal in Korea.

Chancellor Kurz on June 14 announced the appointment at an official luncheon in the palace, and President Moon added that he received a certificate of sponsorship and 100 complimentary tickets to the zoo. 

President Moon said the tickets will go to Korean-language schools in Vienna and ethnic Korean residents of Austria.

President Moon Jae-in on June 21 posted on his social media accounts a photo of the tiger in Austria with a certificate of sponsorship and free tickets to the zoo.