Busan’s only zoo, Samjeong The Park, which has remained closed since 2020, may reopen as the city begins formal steps toward taking over and normalizing its operations.

The Busan Metropolitan Government announced earlier this month that it will commission a comprehensive planning study this month to establish a roadmap for reopening the zoo.

The study will cover acquisition procedures, operating budgets, facility repairs, and long term management plans.

The project is scheduled to run for 10 months with a budget of approximately 2 billion won.

As part of the review, the city will also examine the possibility of repositioning Samjeong The Park as a regional hub zoo for the Yeongnam area.

Unlike traditional visitor focused zoos, hub zoos emphasize animal welfare, disease control, species conservation, and education, and are eligible for national government funding.

To date, Cheongju Zoo in North Chungcheong Province and Gwangju’s Uchi Zoo have been designated as regional hub zoos, with additional sites under consideration nationwide, including the Yeongnam region.

Samjeong The Park was operated by Samjeong Corporation from 2014 until mounting financial losses led to its closure in 2020.

A prolonged legal dispute followed over the zoo’s ownership, with the operator insisting the city was obligated to purchase the facility for 50 billion won.

In July last year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Samjeong Corporation, overturning an earlier decision and sending the case back to a lower court.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu