"How Did He Even Know About 'Uchi' Park?"... Minister Kim Seonghwan Inspects Panda Candidate Site

First On-Site Inspection After President Lee Jaemyung's Panda Loan Proposal
Mayor Kang Gijeong and Minister Kim Inspect Uchi Zoo Routes
Review of Panda Introduction Plan and Assessment of Care Conditions
Negotiations with China Targeted Before March Next Year

In March 2024, at the indoor enclosure of Panda World in Everland, Yongin, Fubao is seen holding a bamboo doll. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

"We had no idea that President Lee Jaemyung would specifically mention Gwangju Uchi Park to China. How did he even know about Uchi Park?"

On the afternoon of January 22, at Uchi Zoo in Buk-gu, Gwangju, this remark by Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seonghwan drew laughter from officials and reporters gathered at the site.

On this day, Minister Kim visited Uchi Zoo to personally inspect the candidate site for panda care and received briefings from Gwangju City and zoo officials regarding the plans and preparations for building the panda enclosure. This visit marks the government's first official on-site inspection since President Lee Jaemyung recently proposed to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Korea-China summit that a pair of pandas be leased to Gwangju Uchi Zoo.

Minister Kim, together with Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, toured the main routes of the zoo, inspecting the candidate sites for the panda enclosure and the surrounding environment.

Seong Changmin, head of Uchi Park Management Office, is explaining the panda introduction plan to Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate Energy and Environment, and Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, at Uchi Zoo in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the afternoon of the 22nd. Photo by Song Bohyun

According to the "Uchi Park Giant Panda Introduction Plan" released that day, the candidate site for the panda enclosure is a plaza of about 4,300 square meters in front of the Tropical Bird Pavilion, within the total area of 121,302 square meters of Uchi Zoo. The construction of a dedicated panda enclosure on this site is under consideration.

The plan specifies facilities, personnel, and budget as prerequisites for the introduction of pandas. It states that pandas require a stable indoor environment of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius year-round, necessitating a dedicated enclosure equipped with air conditioning and ventilation systems. The initial construction cost is estimated at approximately 35 billion won, and the total required budget, including annual management, operating expenses, and rental fees, is estimated to be around 38 billion won.

In terms of personnel, the plan calls for four to five dedicated panda keepers and additional veterinarians. It is also being considered that, during the initial introduction period, specialized panda keepers and veterinarians from China would be dispatched for a certain period to jointly manage the animals.

Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan and Mayor of Gwangju Kang Gijeong are listening to an official's explanation in front of the panda sculpture at Uchi Zoo. Photo by Song Bohyun

After receiving the on-site briefing, Minister Kim stated, "The Ministry of Environment will also play its part to ensure this place becomes a symbolic space."

He added, "The two younger siblings of Fubao currently in Yongin will turn four years old in March next year and must return to China. We are negotiating with the Chinese side to enable the introduction of pandas before then." He continued, "Although nothing has been finalized yet, we are using March next year as a reference point for discussions. We will do our best to bring pandas back to Korea as soon as possible."

Regarding potential national funding support if the panda introduction is successful, he said, "While nothing has been decided yet, since pandas could become a national symbol and considering Gwangju's fiscal situation, I believe national-level support is necessary." Regarding the Chinese response, he commented, "I understand that the Chinese side has been very positive since the summit."

Gwangju Uchi Zoo. Photo by Song Bohyun

Meanwhile, Uchi Zoo is a public zoo located in Buk-gu, Gwangju, with a total area of 121,302 square meters. Since 2015, it has been operating free of charge and currently houses 667 animals of 89 species.

By category, there are 39 species and 235 mammals, 36 species and 403 birds, and 14 species and 29 reptiles. There are 42 species and 93 animals listed as internationally endangered species (CITES), 9 species and 19 animals listed as nationally endangered species, and 7 species and 72 animals designated as natural monuments. The zoo's animal hospital is designated as a treatment center for natural monument animals and also functions as a rescue and treatment facility for wild animals.

Based on these operational achievements, Uchi Zoo was designated as the only national second base zoo in the Honam region on June 30, 2025. The Ministry of Environment evaluated Uchi Zoo as an excellent model for a species conservation-focused zoo, citing its outstanding surgical specialists, operation of a treatment center for natural monument animals, excellence in animal welfare, and its role as a model for species conservation.

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily, Seong Changmin, head of Uchi Park Management Office, stated, "Uchi Zoo has the capability to responsibly care for and manage pandas if they are introduced. However, given the clear limitations in finances and personnel, I have conveyed the need for national-level support."