Seoul city government rejects calls to bring Fu Bao back to Korea

Giant panda Fu Bao plays with her bamboo toy at Everland's Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on March 3, the last day the public could see the panda. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government indirectly rejected an online petition calling for the return of Fu Bao to Korea. The complaint was lodged five days after the Korea-born giant panda left for China.

The Seoul city government responded on Monday to the petition posted on April 8 on the Sangsangdaero Seoul website, an online platform for citizens to submit complaints and suggestions to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The petition was titled "Please consider having Fu Bao, who was sent to China, returned to let people see her again at Seoul Grand Park."

Seoul Grand Park, situated in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, is a large complex that includes a botanical garden and zoo. The Seoul city government oversees the area.

“I ask that Seoul consider renting Fu Bao from China so that citizens can see the panda. There are Seoul citizens and Chinese tourists in Korea who want to see the panda again after she was returned to China,” Kim, who wrote the complaint, said.

Kim added that Fu Bao is a symbol of Korea and China’s friendship. By renting Fu Bao for a fee, both Seoul citizens and Chinese tourists can witness the friendship of the two countries at Seoul Grand Park.

Kim also claimed that Seoul citizens could partially cover this rental fee through donations, with Seoul's city government also contributing from its budget.

Despite the city government turning down the request, it said it understood how citizens were feeling after Fu Bao left Korea.

“When considering Fu Bao's position, we believe it is best to send our wishes for her adjustment and happiness in China, where she will be staying from now on,” the Seoul city government said.

“Thank you for the suggestion, which was requested based on your special affection and love for Fu Bao,” the city government added.

The Seoul city government responded in the same way to a different complaint, which requested that the city rent Fu Bao and a male giant panda for breeding in Seoul.

Although requests for the giant panda's return have risen since her departure, some have disagreed. They call for the "deportation" of those making the requests, claiming that the money spent on renting the panda would be a "waste of tax money."

Fu Bao was the first giant panda to be born in Korea. She was born in 2020 to Le Bao and Ai Bao, pandas that the Chinese government leased to Korea in 2016.

The giant panda departed for China on April 3, following China's mandate that all giant pandas, regardless of their birthplace, must be returned to the country upon reaching sexual maturity at the age of four.

Fu Bao has twin siblings, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, who were born at Everland in July 2023.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]