The Day Pubao Leaves... 'Puboji' Keeper Kang Cheol-won Accompanies to China Despite Mother's Passing

South Korea's first baby panda, Pubao, will board a flight to China on the 3rd. It has been 1,354 days since Pubao was born and raised at Everland. Kang Cheol-won, the Everland zookeeper who showed special affection for Pubao to the extent of being called the 'Panda Grandpa,' suffered the loss of his mother a day before their farewell. Despite his grief, Kang has decided to accompany Pubao to China as planned, causing a wave of sympathy.

Zookeeper Kang Cheol-won with Fubao.
Photo by Kang Jin-hyung, Asia Economy

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On the 3rd, Everland announced that Kang received the news of his mother's passing on the morning of the 2nd. Kang's mother's funeral was held at a funeral home located in Jeonbuk, but the exact location was not disclosed at Kang's request to keep it private.

Kang is a veteran zookeeper who has been by Pubao's side since birth and showed such special affection that he even learned Chinese for Pubao. Although he was scheduled to accompany Pubao on the flight to China and stay there for 3 to 4 days, Kang's mother's passing a day before departure raised concerns among fans that Pubao might have to travel alone. However, Kang will board the chartered plane with experts from the China Panda Conservation Research Center as originally planned, assist with Pubao's transfer, and then return to Korea.

Everland plans to hold a farewell event for Pubao's fans from 10:40 AM for 20 minutes, from Panda World to the Rose Garden. The farewell will proceed with a special semiconductor transport vehicle carrying Pubao slowly moving along the route. At the Rose Garden, Kang will read a letter to Pubao, and zookeeper Song Young-kwan will read a thank-you letter to Pubao's fans. Afterward, upon arrival at Incheon Airport, Pubao will board the chartered plane provided by the Chinese side and depart for China.

Meanwhile, Pubao was born on July 20, 2020, between Lubao (father) and Aibao (mother), who were sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of Korea-China friendship. Pubao's chemistry with the zookeepers is the secret to his popularity, and among pandas, he is notably round and chubby, earning nicknames such as 'Pugongju,' 'Purinseseu,' 'Ttunbbangi,' and 'Puttuntun.'

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