Former Speed Skating Champion Lee Sang-hwa Bids Farewell to Beloved Dog

Former speed skating national team member Lee Sang-hwa has bid a final farewell to her beloved dog.

On the 28th, Lee Sang-hwa shared a heartfelt message on her personal account dedicated to her dog, Pika. She wrote, "Pika, did you arrive safely at Pika Star? Looking at the sky, I felt like I saw clouds of you running around," expressing her emotions after the farewell. She continued, "It seems like you're letting me know that you're no longer in pain and can walk and run freely. Thank you, Pika. I hope you are reborn as a human in your next life."

Earlier, on the 1st of the month, Lee Sang-hwa had revealed that "Pika is sick and doesn't have much time left," sharing the news of her pet's illness. It was confirmed that Pika passed away on the 27th after battling the illness.

Pika, a Golden Retriever, had been with Lee since her training days in Canada. Known as a family-like companion, Pika had been by her side throughout her athletic career and beyond.

Meanwhile, Lee Sang-hwa, born in 1989, married singer and broadcaster Kangnam in 2019, marking their 7th year together. Kangnam passed the naturalization test in 2022, acquiring South Korean citizenship.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr