Japan will soon become a panda-less nation for the first time in 54 years, as the country’s last two giant pandas are set to be sent back to China on Jan. 27.
Korea was heartbroken after sending away beloved giant panda Fu Bao in 2024. But a new opportunity may be arising after President Lee Jae Myung asked China to loan Korea a new pair of pandas during his state visit last week.
Gwangju is drawing attention as a potential new home for a pair of giant pandas after President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to lease the animals during their recent summit.
President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed a range of topics including the lifting of China's unofficial ban on Korean entertainment, the loaning of more pandas to Seoul.
The Korean and Chinese environmental authorities agreed Tuesday to deepen cooperation on pandas following a summit agreement between President Lee and Chinese President Xi to discuss the potential lease of additional pandas to Korea.
Japan is set to become “panda-free” as the last two giant pandas remaining in the country are scheduled to be returned to China in late January next year.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Korea on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, an animal rights group held a demonstration in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, calling for improved living conditions for Fu Bao.
Twin pandas move out of mom’s place. Rui Bao,left and Hui Bao, right, twin giant pandas at Everland’s Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi, spend time with their mother, Ai Bao, on Aug. 12.
The first panda twins born in Korea shared one last cuddle with their mother on Tuesday before beginning their journey into independence.
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