Seoul City to Begin Construction of Metropolitan Area's Largest Pet Theme Park This Year

Land Compensation Begins for Gunnam-myeon Site in Yeoncheon

Permits and Approvals Completed; Contractor to Be Selected After Compensation

Pet Memorial Facility Also Planned; Opening to Public in 2028

15 Million Pet Owners in Korea... Expected to Ease Burdens

The largest pet theme park in the Seoul metropolitan area, currently being developed by Seoul City in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, is expected to break ground as early as later this year. A pet memorial facility is also planned as part of the project, with the total project cost amounting to 56 billion won.

According to industry sources on September 14, Seoul City has recently begun planning for land compensation for the 'Seoul Pet Theme Park,' which is to be built in the Gunnam-myeon area of Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province.

Landscape and aerial perspective of the site for the 'Seoul Pet Theme Park' planned to be developed in the Yeoncheon-gun area of Gyeonggi Province. Seoul City

This project is a collaborative effort between Seoul City and Yeoncheon County. The plan includes a 120,000-square-meter pet theme park and a 5,000-square-meter memorial facility for pets. Yeoncheon County is providing the land, while Seoul City will be responsible for constructing and operating the facilities.

According to government statistics, there are 15 million people raising pets, meaning 29% of all households now live with pets. However, there has been ongoing criticism of the lack of recreational spaces for pets. In particular, the difficulty in finding animal funeral homes has made the disposal of approximately 130,000 animal carcasses annually in Seoul a new social problem. Although efforts to establish funeral homes within the city have been made, these projects have repeatedly failed due to strong opposition from residents, as such facilities are classified as objectionable.

Under current law, pet funeral homes must be located at least 300 meters away from residential areas. In addition, if air pollutant emission facilities such as crematoriums are included, an environmental impact assessment, urban planning review, and public hearing by the relevant local government are required.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and other related agencies are currently reviewing possible deregulation of restrictions on the installation of pet funeral facilities, but the process remains challenging. It is highly likely that residents will continue to exert influence at each site. The government is considering a plan to permit the establishment of funeral homes within urban areas only.

Fortunately, amendments to the Animal Protection Act in 2020 created an opportunity for local governments to operate public funeral facilities. This project, for which Seoul City and Yeoncheon County signed a business agreement in 2024, also became possible thanks to changes in the relevant laws.

The Seoul Pet Theme Park, covering about 120,000 square meters, will feature a variety of facilities that pets and their owners can enjoy together, including caravans, glamping and auto-camping sites, swimming pools for dogs, a large-scale playground and training center for pets, and animal grooming parlors. A 5,000-square-meter pet memorial facility will also be established in the area, including a pet crematorium or drying chamber and a memorial columbarium.

Major administrative procedures such as preliminary impact assessments and permits have been completed. Once Seoul City finishes the current land compensation plan and secures the land, construction will be able to proceed. The city plans to finish selecting the contractor within this year, begin construction, and open the facility to the public in 2028.

A Seoul City official stated, "Once the largest pet theme park in the metropolitan area is completed, services and welfare for households raising pets will be further expanded," adding, "We will also consider additional support policies to reinforce these efforts."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.