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Transition to Busan Public Zoo
The zoo in Busan Children's Grand Park will change to public operation. The city of Busan announced that it will acquire 'Samjeong The Park Zoo' located in the Choeup Seongjigok area and open a new era for the Busan Public Zoo.
This decision marks an important milestone, concluding a six-year lawsuit and signifying the transition from private to public responsibility.
The city plans to secure operational rights by signing a purchase agreement for approximately 47.8 billion Korean Won on April 15, 2026. To reduce operational gaps, an additional supplementary budget of 7.5 billion Korean Won will be allocated for the contract fee and operational costs.
Early Opening of Busan Zoo in October 2026
The zoo currently houses 115 species of animals and a total of 443 individuals. To normalize operations, a basic planning service is underway, and the city plans to start trial operations aiming for a partial early opening in October 2026. Subsequently, a full opening is planned for 2027.
The plan is to transform into a natural habitat zoo while preserving and utilizing the existing Seongjigok forest as much as possible. This will involve gradually improving the aging animal facilities, reflecting the behavioral characteristics of different animal species, and rearranging living spaces. It is essential that this zoo transforms into a space centered around ecology education beyond a simple exhibition area.
Promotion of Designation as a Base Zoo in the Yeongnam Region
The city of Busan aims to be designated as the central zoo of the Yeongnam region. If such designation occurs under the "Zoo and Aquarium Management Act", it will play significant roles in zoo operations, disease management, and species conservation, along with receiving national financial support.
Currently, only two base zoos are operational in South Korea: Cheongju Zoo and Gwangju Woochi Zoo. If Busan is added, it will play a vital role in the animal welfare system of the Yeongnam region.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing for animal exchanges with the Neungdong Zoo within Seoul Children's Grand Park. This is part of efforts to secure a diverse range of species and establish a responsible animal supply system.
The Zoo Returns to the Public
This acquisition is not merely a sale but a policy decision aimed at resolving the legal issues that arose following the suspension of operations in 2020 and transitioning the zoo into public ownership. Upon changing to public operation, the budget, personnel, and operational manuals will be standardized, and specialized personnel will be reinforced. This is expected to enhance the level of animal welfare.
The Busan Children's Grand Park Zoo will provide education on respecting life, forest interpretation programs, and educational content on animal welfare for children, transforming into a space for learning and healing beyond mere observation. Such changes are expected to offer a better experience for citizens.
In April 2026, the signing of the acquisition agreement for Busan Public Zoo marks the beginning of a new era. The partial opening is scheduled for October 2026, and a full opening in 2027. If this plan proceeds smoothly, the Choeup Seongjigok Zoo is expected to establish itself as a center for ecological education in Busan.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How will the operation method of Busan Children's Grand Park Zoo change?
Busan Children's Grand Park Zoo will transition from private operation to public operation.
The city of Busan has announced its plan to acquire Samjeong The Park Zoo in the Choeup Seongjigok area and transition it into a public zoo. This holds significant meaning as it concludes a six-year lawsuit and changes the operation entity from private to public responsibility. With the introduction of the public operation system, budgets, personnel, and operational manuals will be standardized, and specialized personnel will be reinforced, leading to improved animal welfare standards.
Q. When will the Busan Public Zoo open?
An early opening is scheduled for October 2026, with full opening planned for 2027.
The city of Busan plans to sign the zoo acquisition agreement in April 2026, with an additional supplementary budget to minimize operational gaps. The zoo will start partial trial operations in October 2026 and fully open all facilities in 2027, providing the public with a new ecological education space.
Q. What are the main characteristics and directions of change for the Busan Public Zoo?
It will transition to a natural habitat zoo, focusing on animal welfare and ecological education.
The Busan Zoo plans to transform into a natural habitat zoo while preserving and utilizing the existing Seongjigok forest as much as possible. Improvements to aging animal facilities, reflection of behavioral characteristics by species, and rearrangement of living spaces will be carried out gradually. It will be transformed into a space that prioritizes animal welfare and offers ecological education, forest interpretation, and educational content for children.
Q. Will Busan Zoo be designated as a base zoo in the Yeongnam region?
The city of Busan is working on being designated as a base zoo in the Yeongnam region, expecting national financial support according to the law.
The city of Busan is striving to be designated as the central zoo of the Yeongnam region under the "Zoo and Aquarium Management Act". If designated, it will play crucial roles in zoo operations, disease management, and species conservation while receiving national financial support. Currently, there are only base zoos in Cheongju and Gwangju, and if Busan is added, it will significantly contribute to strengthening the animal welfare system in the Yeongnam region.
Q. Does Busan Zoo have plans for animal exchange and cooperation?
Negotiations for animal exchanges are ongoing with Seoul Neungdong Zoo.
The city of Busan is in discussions for animal exchanges with the Neungdong Zoo within Seoul Children's Grand Park. This is an effort to secure a variety of animal species and establish a responsible animal supply system. Plans are in place to expand animal species diversity and build a healthy animal welfare system.
