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Busan gov't buys Samjung the Park, plans to redesign, reopen space as public zoo

Published: 27 Feb. 2026, 07:00

Samjung The Park is shown at its opening in 2014. The zoo closed in April 2020 after continued operating losses. [JOONGANG ILBO]

The Busan government has bought the only zoo in the city and plans to reopen it as a public one.

Busan will assume operating rights for Samjung the Park from Samjung Enterprise on April 15, the city government said on Thursday. The zoo is in Choeup-dong, Busanjin District.

The city signed a purchase agreement on Thursday — after paying approximately 10 percent of the total cost of the zoo, roughly 47.8 billion won ($33.4 million), as a down payment — and will take direct control of management and operations as soon as the contract is signed. To cover the down payment and operating costs, Busan set aside 7.5 billion won in its first supplementary budget for 2026.

Samjung the Park opened in April 2014 under an agreement between Busan and Samjung Enterprise, but the zoo suspended operations six years later after failing to profit. However, it continued to face annual costs, including care for the animals and related labor expenses.

Busan and Samjung Enterprise have since been locked in a legal dispute over the zoo's sale.

Samjung Enterprise demanded that the city purchase the zoo for 50.4 billion won under their earlier agreement, but the city refused. The company filed a lawsuit in June 2020, seeking payment of the purchase price.

Lower courts initially sided with Busan, which argued that the property could not be purchased because private legal rights were attached to parts of the land. The Supreme Court later overturned those rulings and sent the case back to a lower court.

Samjung Enterprise was appointed court receivership after a fire broke out at its Banyan Tree resort in Busan in February 2025. As its affiliate, Samjung the Park also fell into financial distress, and starting in May 2025, Busan spent 160 million won in reserve funds to provide food for the animals. That support ended in late October of that year.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon tours Samjung The Park on Feb. 25 as the city takes over the facility and converts it into a public zoo. [YONHAP]

After taking over the zoo, Busan plans to refurbish the facilities in phases and fully reopen in 2027. Admission will be set at a level similar to other public zoos, with the city considering free entry or fees in the 1,000 to 3,000 won range.

Busan’s operating vision is “a zoo that respects life.” It plans to model sites after the animals' natural habitats while preserving existing terrain and vegetation as much as possible.

The city will prioritize upgrading older animal enclosures and redesigning habitats to reflect each species' needs and behaviors. It also plans to add education programs and experiences for professionals and children alike.

Under the Act on the Management of Zoos and Aquariums, Busan will attempt to designate Samjung the Park as a “hub zoo,” a status for zoos and aquariums that focus on services such as the protection of rescued animals and the quarantine of invasive species. The designation can lead to government-funded support.

Cheongju Zoo was designated the country's first hub zoo in May 2024, followed by Gwangju's Uchi Zoo.

“From now on, the zoo will become a public asset that Busan takes responsibility for,” said Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon. “It will become a center for animal welfare and ecological education and establish itself as a hub zoo serving Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY WE SUNG-WOOK [[email protected]]