Fu Bao (Image courtesy of Everland)
SEOUL, Apr. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – After Fu Bao, the giant panda born at Everland theme park in South Korea, embarked on a new journey in China earlier this month, leaving behind legions of ardent Korean fans, a civic petition has emerged in Seoul demanding the beloved panda’s return.
On April 8, a citizen’s proposal titled “Please arrange for the panda Fu Bao, returned to China, to be viewable at Seoul Grand Park” appeared on the “Imagine Your Seoul” platform, a civic participation initiative run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The author, an individual referred to only as Kim, expressed a desire to have Fu Bao leased from China at a fee and housed at Seoul Grand Park, stating, “I hope that through donations from Seoul citizens and the city’s budget, Fu Bao can be brought to Seoul Grand Park for its residents and Chinese tourists visiting for the Korean Wave to meet the panda, a symbol of friendship between Korea and China.”
The petition, open for public voting until May 8, had garnered 350 supportive votes and 39 opposing votes as of 10 a.m. on April 10.
The comments section reflected diverging opinions, with some expressing support, saying, “Please bring Fu Bao back” and “Fu Bao is our nation’s panda,” while others criticized the idea as a waste of taxpayer money and questioned why the initiative should be funded by taxpayers.
Zookepers at Everland read a letter of thanks to Fu Bao fans. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Once the voting concludes, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will review the petition and provide a response, typically within two weeks, according to a city official who spoke with Chosun.com.
Fu Bao, whose name means “treasure that brings happiness,” was born on July 20, 2020, to Le Bao and Ai Bao, pandas gifted to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Affectionately known by nicknames like “Yongin Fu,” “Princess Fu,” and “Plump Fu,” the panda captured the hearts of many.
In early April, Fu Bao departed for the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, China. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), offspring of pandas sent by China to other countries must be returned to China before reaching four years of age.
Currently, Fu Bao resides in the quarantine area at the Wolong Nature Reserve and will be relocated to a permanent home after completing isolation, though the specific location has not been determined.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
