The tiger, a creature deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the Korean Peninsula, is locally extinct in the wild (extirpated). While historically a powerful presence from the southern coast to the northern mountains, modern South Korea is without a confirmed wild population. The animal remains an enduring symbol, but its disappearance resulted from focused historical pressures. This dramatic change in the peninsula’s ecology now informs challenging conservation efforts aimed at potentially restoring the species.
Identifying the Korean Tiger Subspecies
The tiger that once roamed the Korean Peninsula is the Amur or Siberian tiger, Panthera tigris altaica. Although some researchers classified the Korean population as a distinct subspecies, ancient DNA analysis confirmed a shared genetic identity with Amur tigers in the Russian Far East and Northeast China. This classification is ecologically plausible, as the region lacked major dispersal barriers that would prevent gene flow for the wide-ranging carnivore.
The Amur tiger is the largest tiger subspecies, adapted to the harsh, cold climate of its northern range. Males can reach up to 3.7 meters (12.1 feet) in length and weigh as much as 423 kilograms (933 pounds). They possess a thick, dense coat and a paler orange coloration. This subspecies once inhabited the entire peninsula, traversing the Baekdudaegan mountain range.
Historical Extirpation from the Peninsula
The primary cause for the tiger’s disappearance was systematic hunting implemented in the early 20th century. During the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945), the colonial government initiated the “Harmful Animal Eradication Project” (haesu kuje). This policy was framed as a public safety measure to eliminate animals threatening livestock and people. However, it also served to undermine the tiger, which was a powerful symbol of Korean national identity.
The systematic eradication efforts, lasting from 1915 to 1940, mobilized specialized civilian hunting units known as Jeonghogun. These hunters used modern weaponry, poison, and dynamite to target large predators, including tigers and leopards. Historical records indicate this policy led to the capture or killing of at least 97 tigers and 624 leopards.
The last confirmed wild tiger in the southern half of the peninsula was captured near Gyeongju in 1921, effectively declaring the species locally extinct in the South by the 1920s. Compounding the focused hunting effort was the accelerating loss of habitat. Industrialization, aggressive logging, and human population growth led to widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation, further isolating remaining tiger populations.
Current Conservation Status and Reintroduction Efforts
Today, there is no evidence of a breeding wild tiger population in South Korea. Unconfirmed reports suggest a few individuals may still exist in the remote border regions of North Korea. The total global population of the Amur tiger is estimated to be over 560 individuals, primarily concentrated in the Russian Far East. This population serves as the crucial genetic resource for any future restoration projects.
South Korea is actively engaged in preparatory conservation work. This includes managing a captive population of approximately 50 Amur tigers in zoos and state-run facilities, which serve as a genetic reserve for the species. The Korea Forest Service established a “Tiger Forest” at the National Baekdu-Daegan Arboretum in North Gyeongsang Province. This is a large, semi-wild enclosure designed to simulate natural habitat.
This effort is considered off-site conservation and habitat preparation, including training tigers for a less-controlled environment. However, the feasibility of a true reintroduction is heavily debated due to South Korea’s high population density and fragmentation of the mountain habitat. This fragmentation is particularly severe in the Taebaek and Sobaek mountain ranges. Despite these challenges, the nation continues to explore opportunities for big cat conservation, with some researchers suggesting the country should still be included in the global family of tiger range countries for future planning.