Table of Contents
- The Only Zoo Normalization Milestone in Busan
- Busan City's Agreement to Acquire Below 50 Billion
- Early Opening Schedule for October 2026
- Background of Samjeong Company's Rehabilitation and Public Acquisition
- Promotion of a National Base Zoo in the Yeongnam Region
- Conclusion: Recovery of Publicness is Key
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Only Zoo Normalization Milestone in Busan
The reopening of the Samjeong The Park Zoo located within Busan Children's Grand Park is getting closer.
The long-term closure since 2020 has entered a new phase as the legal disputes have virtually come to an end. The city of Busan announced specific plans to acquire the zoo for less than 50 billion won and aims for an early opening by October 2026.
This decision is significant not just for reopening the facility but also for normalizing the city's parks and educational infrastructure through public acquisition. It is expected to have a positive impact on local residents.
Busan City's Agreement to Acquire Below 50 Billion
In the first adjustment hearing of the appeal retrial held at the Busan High Court, the city of Busan and KB Real Estate Trust (on behalf of Samjeong Company) achieved an agreement to acquire the zoo for less than 50 billion won.
This agreement can be seen as a resolution to the conflict between the claim of 50 billion won made by Samjeong Company based on past agreements and the city of Busan's long-standing refusal stance.
With this agreement in place, once the details such as the purchase price and payment method are set, the long-standing legal battle will effectively come to an end. Resolving the risk of litigation will be a crucial factor in determining the speed of future budget execution and facility normalization.
Early Opening Schedule for October 2026
The city of Busan has completed the selection of a company for the 'Basic Plan for the Normalization of the Children's Grand Park Zoo' project.
Based on the results of this project, the city will decide on the most efficient operational method among direct management, the establishment of a separate corporation, or entrustment to a private entity or facility corporation.
Once the purchase is completed, the facilities and animals will be taken over. Subsequently, large-scale renovations will begin, with plans for an early opening of some areas in October 2026. Following that, a full reopening is aimed for Children's Day in 2027.
These plans can be understood as strategies to enhance the residents' perception and gradually secure operational stability.
Background of Samjeong Company's Rehabilitation and Public Acquisition
The background of this agreement is rooted in the corporate rehabilitation process of Samjeong Company. Amid deepening financial difficulties and uncertainties for the operating company, it is evaluated that the city of Busan chose public acquisition as a realistic alternative, considering the social costs of long-term litigation.
The zoo closed in 2005 due to aging and management issues, but reopened in 2014. However, as losses accumulated, operations were halted again in 2020. This ultimately highlights the limitations of a privately operated model.
Promotion of a National Base Zoo in the Yeongnam Region
The city of Busan is considering designating the zoo as a 'National Base Zoo in the Yeongnam Region' to reduce operational cost burdens in the future.
If selected as such a base zoo, it will be able to attract financial support from the government and donations from the public, and the educational and research functions are expected to be strengthened.
This will lead to a broader role, extending beyond just being a viewing site to becoming a center for environmental and ecological education.
Conclusion: Recovery of Publicness is Key
The normalization effort of Cho Oop Samjeong The Park goes beyond merely reopening the zoo; it is an important process for reviving the public nature of Busan Children's Grand Park.
An acquisition will take place for a budget below 50 billion won, with plans for early opening by October 2026. Additionally, if it transitions to a public-centered operation, the city park, which has suffered damages due to long-term closures, is likely to return to citizens.
The main future challenges will be deciding the operational model and ensuring financial sustainability.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When will the Busan Children's Grand Park Zoo reopen?
The Busan Children's Grand Park Zoo aims for an early opening in October 2026.
The City of Busan plans to open some areas of the zoo early in October 2026, followed by a full reopening aimed for Children's Day in 2027. This is a strategy to enhance the residents' perception and gradually secure operational stability.
Q. What is the zoo's acquisition price and the agreement details?
The zoo's acquisition price has been agreed upon as below 50 billion won between the city of Busan and Samjeong Company.
In the adjustment hearing of the appeal retrial at the Busan High Court, the city of Busan and Samjeong Company agreed to acquire the zoo for less than 50 billion won. This agreement will effectively conclude the long-standing legal battle, and details regarding the purchase price and payment methods will be determined.
Q. What is the background behind Busan's decision for public acquisition of the zoo?
The background includes the rehabilitation of Samjeong Company and resolution of legal disputes, as well as restoration of publicness.
Considering the financial difficulties of Samjeong Company and the corporate rehabilitation process, as well as the social costs of long-term litigation, the city of Busan opted for public acquisition. The repeated operational halts due to the limitations of private operation led to the aim of normalizing the public nature of urban parks and educational infrastructure.
Q. How will the operational method of the zoo be determined?
Busan City is examining management through direct operation, establishing a separate corporation, or entrusting to private entities or facility corporations.
The city of Busan will select the most efficient operational method based on the results of the basic plan for the normalization of the Children's Grand Park Zoo. The goal is stable operation and improvement of service quality for citizens.
Q. What role and status will the Busan Zoo have?
It will be designated as a national base zoo in the Yeongnam region, enhancing its educational and research functions.
The city of Busan is pursuing a plan to designate the zoo as a national base zoo in the Yeongnam region to reduce operational cost burdens. If selected as a base zoo, it will receive financial support from the government and assume a central role in environmental and ecological education, transcending mere visitation.
