"Stop Exchanging Pandas as Diplomatic Gifts" Animal Rights Groups Protest

"Securing Budget and Facilities Needed for the Protection of Captive Bears"

Animal rights groups have voiced opposition to discussions on additional panda loans being promoted in connection with the Korea-China summit.

On the afternoon of January 13, five animal protection organizations, including the Korea Animal Protection Alliance, held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, stating, "We oppose the request to loan pandas from China and urge the government to establish relocation and protection measures for the 199 captive bears remaining in the country."

They further stated, "The practice of exchanging animals as diplomatic gifts is undesirable," adding, "We have seen many cases where animals exchanged as diplomatic gifts or tools have met unfortunate ends."

Citizens capturing panda Fu Bao on camera before being relocated to China in 2024. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In their statement, they emphasized, "Animals are not objects. They are not gifts to be exchanged," and pointed out, "Moreover, pandas are internationally endangered wild animals. Confining them to artificially small enclosures and reducing them to exhibition animals only results in the violation of animal welfare."

They argued that rather than discussing additional panda loans, it is more urgent to implement protective measures for the so-called 'captive bears' currently remaining on farms.

According to the Animal Protection Alliance and others, the amendment to the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, which passed the National Assembly in December 2023, has prohibited bear farming as of January 1. The revised law bans the ownership, breeding, and reproduction of captive bears.

The Ministry of Environment announced on December 30 of last year, just before the law took effect, that penalties for the ownership, breeding, and reproduction of captive bears would be postponed for six months. As a result, 199 captive bears currently remain on farms.

On October 2, 2025, in Panda 2nd House at Everland, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, the panda Ruibao is roaming around the enclosure. Photo by Yonhap News.

The organizations also pointed out that while most captive bears are Asiatic black bears, which are both endangered species and natural monuments, there is a contradiction in promoting restoration projects on one hand while, on the other, allowing captive bears to await slaughter in poor conditions. They asserted that the government, which has permitted bear farming, must take responsibility for the protection and survival of the remaining captive bears, and called for relocation and protection measures instead of slaughter.

At the site, participants engaged in picketing and performances along with the reading of the statement. They chanted slogans such as "Establish protection measures for the remaining bears in the country," highlighting the need for relocation and protection of captive bears.

Previously, on January 7, according to the presidential office, President Lee Jaemyung proposed the 'donation of pandas' to China as a practical measure to alleviate the spread of hostile sentiment between the two countries.