Naju City to Build 'Companion Animal Theme Park'... Construction Targeted for 2025 Start

Published 01 Nov.2023 11:41(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is promoting the construction of the Yeongsangang River Pet Theme Park, aiming to start construction in 2025, thanks to its selection as a Jeonnam-type regional growth strategic project.

According to the city on the 1st, the Jeonnam-type regional growth strategic project is a large-scale development initiative led by cities and counties and supported by Jeollanam-do.

Perspective view of Naju Yeongsangang Pet Theme Park. <br>Photo by Naju City

Perspective view of Naju Yeongsangang Pet Theme Park.
Photo by Naju City

The city has secured a total project budget of 11 billion KRW, including 5 billion KRW in provincial subsidies, and is accelerating the pet industry cluster creation project.

The project will be carried out in three stages: starting with the construction of the Yeongsangang River Pet Theme Park, activating the pet industry, and creating a pet-friendly tourism city linked with tourism resources.

The first stage, the Yeongsangang River Pet Theme Park, will be built as a complex convenience facility including an off-leash zone, dog swimming pool, dog cafe, and adoption support center.

It will also include spaces for both pet owners and non-pet owners, such as a dog museum for exhibitions and experiences, and Animal Stay, a glamping site where pets are allowed.

The theme park construction will proceed with pre-administrative procedures starting this year, aiming for groundbreaking in 2025.

The city plans to foster a pet-specialized complex, including a premium pet food industry utilizing local agricultural and livestock products, to create high added value and to promote a pet industry cluster in the long term through stay-type pet tourism and pet healthcare advancement.

In particular, it is expected to greatly contribute to attracting tourists with pets through the creation of a pet park linked with the Yeongsangang Naju District Integrated River Project, a key task of the 8th municipal administration.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Through the creation of a pet-friendly tourism city and an industrial cluster, we will meet the increasing demand of the growing pet population, revitalize tourism, expand related markets, nurture experts, provide jobs, and prepare factors for population inflow.”