Jin Jinsook: "A Pair of Pandas Opens a New Era for Gwangju... A Catalyst for Becoming a Cultural and Tourism City"

Welcoming President Lee Jaemyung's Panda Loan Request
Vision for a Complex Cultural Theme Park Centered on Uchi Zoo

Jin Jinsook, Member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Buk-gu, Gwangju), stated on January 8 regarding President Lee Jaemyung's request to borrow pandas, "The proposal specifically naming Gwangju Uchi Zoo is both a diplomatic achievement for Korea-China friendship and a brilliant move that could trigger a butterfly effect for balanced national development." She expressed her commitment to making every effort to attract pandas.

Jin Jinsuk, Member of the National Assembly of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Assemblywoman Jin said, "Depending on how we prepare, attracting a pair of pandas could be the flutter of butterfly wings that leads to a new leap forward for Gwangju as a cultural and tourism city," adding, "Preparation is not limited to building enclosures or facilities for tourists." She continued, "The reason Fubao's popularity could spread was because of the theme park infrastructure of Everland," and emphasized, "This request to attract pandas will serve as both a catalyst and a strong driving force for Gwangju's push to establish a complex cultural theme park and to attract such projects."

She also mentioned the possibility of converting Uchi Park into a theme park and attracting private investment. Assemblywoman Jin explained, "Uchi Park, which houses Family Land and has been limited by outdated amusement facilities for over 35 years, will be reclassified as a 'theme park' under the Urban Parks and Green Spaces Act starting this July, making it possible to develop a theme park through private investment." She added, "Attracting a proper theme park to the region will nurture children's dreams and the vision for local cultural tourism, and it is also significant for balanced national development, as it builds cultural tourism infrastructure that is not concentrated on industrial facilities."

Assemblywoman Jin stated, "Attracting a complex cultural theme park like Universal Studios to Gwangju is the ultimate goal in making Gwangju a leading city in the culture industry, a smokeless factory," and added, "The future strategy for Uchi Zoo is to evolve from a zoo for animals into an ecological zoo where both people and animals can be happy."

She also highlighted Uchi Zoo's strengths in attracting pandas. She explained, "Uchi Zoo has been designated as a regional hub zoo for excellence, has received awards related to animal welfare, and possesses know-how in operating an ecological zoo. It also has idle land comparable in size to Everland's Panda World enclosure, and is staffed with veterinarians and zookeepers who have both expertise and experience."

Assemblywoman Jin concluded, "I will do my best to cooperate with relevant ministries and communicate with local residents so that the opportunity of 'panda diplomacy' created by President Lee Jaemyung can be expanded into a driving force for regional development."