President Lee Mentions "Request for Panda Lease" at Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Meeting

"Requested the Lease of a Pair of Pandas for Uchi Zoo"

Panda at Everland, Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

It has been reported that President Lee Jaemyung mentioned directly requesting the Chinese side for panda leasing during a meeting on the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, which he presided over.

According to Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, President Lee first stated at the meeting of provincial governors and local National Assembly members on January 9, which focused on the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, "During my recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, I requested the lease of a pair of pandas for the Uchi Zoo in Gwangju."

Mayor Kang responded, "Thank you for requesting the lease of pandas for Gwangju Uchi Zoo," and added, "The city will thoroughly prepare to ensure that pandas can actually come to Gwangju."

Earlier, during the Korea-China summit held on January 5, President Lee had requested Chinese President Xi Jinping to lease a pair of pandas for Gwangju Uchi Zoo, which has been designated as the nation's second key national zoo.

Uchi Zoo is a public zoo recognized nationwide for its animal welfare and veterinary capabilities. It is also home to the Pungsan dogs "Gomi" and "Songgang," which were gifted by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un to former President Moon Jaein.

With the possibility of bringing in pandas being discussed, Mayor Kang plans to visit Uchi Zoo in person on January 10 to check the facility conditions and review operational plans.

Mayor Kang, along with city officials such as the Director of the New Vitality Promotion Headquarters, the Director of Urban Parks, and the Head of Uchi Park Management Office, plans to inspect candidate sites suitable for constructing a dedicated panda enclosure.

In addition, they will review basic requirements such as breeding, quarantine, safety, and visitor flow, as well as the need to enhance public facilities in response to increased visitor demand if pandas are introduced.

Other areas to be reviewed include: ▲ the current status and scale of animals housed at Uchi Zoo ▲ the composition and expertise of professional staff such as zookeepers and veterinarians, as well as their veterinary and management capabilities ▲ the role and achievements of the second key national zoo ▲ and the status of the rescue and management of captive bears (Asiatic black bears).

An official from Gwangju City stated, "Although panda breeding facilities have not yet been established, our breeding and veterinary capabilities are considered sufficient for a key national zoo. If the introduction of pandas becomes a reality, it is expected to serve as a symbol of Korea-China exchange and have a positive effect on local tourism and economic revitalization."