Fans petition for return of Fu Bao to Korea

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has received some 10 petitions filed by citizens who called for bringing giant panda Fu Bao back to Korea after being sent to China earlier this month.

Most of the petitioners suggested that the city government find ways for Fu Bao to be brought to Seoul Grand Park, the city-run zoo located in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and housed there. The suggestions include the city government funding the rental of Fu Bao from China.

But there has been considerable skepticism, with objectors arguing that such a measure would require a massive budget and that the petitioners did not show enough consideration for Fu Bao’s wellbeing when making the suggestions.

Fu Bao is the first Korea-born giant panda. She was born in 2020 to her panda parents, Ai Bao and Le Bao, who had been sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between Seoul and Beijing.

Korea’s favorite giant panda was born in Everland, the nation’s largest amusement park, run by Samsung C&T, and lived there until she was transferred to China on April 3 in accordance with an endangered species conservation agreement that stipulates that China’s loaned pandas, and their offspring, are to be returned before they turn four.

Disputes began on April 8 after a citizen surnamed Kim wrote about the idea of Seoul City paying a rental fee for the return of Fu Bao on the Sangsangdaero Seoul website, an online platform for citizens to make suggestions to the city government.

“I ask the city government to enable citizens and Chinese tourists to see Fu Bao at Seoul Grand Park to share friendship,” Kim wrote.

The city government is obligated to issue an official statement regarding a petition if 50 or more people support it within a month.

As Kim’s post has earned more than 1,100 clicks in support of the proposal as of Monday, the Seoul Grand Park said it is preparing an official reply.

“The loaning of Fu Bao would be possible only when the Chinese government approves it,” a Seoul Grand Park official said. “Even if it is approved, the loan would require a massive budget.”

Other petitions conveyed similar suggestions, but these petitions, at the same time, have invited criticism and objections.

On Saturday, a citizen surnamed Lee denounced the suggestions to bring Fu Bao back and display her to the public, calling it animal abuse.

“Fu Bao has the right to mate and enjoy vast natural resources. Bringing her back to Korea amounts to animal abuse,” Lee wrote.