The Asiatic black bear is the only bear that naturally occurs on the Korean Peninsula. It is a medium‑sized black bear with a distinctive white or cream “V”/crescent patch on its chest, which is why Koreans call it “half‑moon bear” (반달가슴곰). In Korea it is classified as an endangered wild animal (Class I) and is also a Natural Monument (No. 329). How many bears are in the wild now? By the late 1900s, hunting and habitat loss had reduced the wild population to only about 5 bears in South Korea. A government re‑introduction program began in 2004, releasing Russian Far East bears that share the same genetic lineage. By 2024, the Korea National Park Service reported about 86 wild Asiatic black bears living mainly in Jirisan National Park. In addition, there are still hundreds of captive bears (around 322 bears on 20 farms as reported recently) used historically for bear farming. Where do they live? Today, almost all wild bears in South Korea are concentrated in Jirisan National Park and nea...
The Asiatic black bear is the only bear that naturally occurs on the Korean Peninsula.
It is a medium‑sized black bear with a distinctive white or cream “V”/crescent patch on its chest, which is why Koreans call it “half‑moon bear” (반달가슴곰).
In Korea it is classified as an endangered wild animal (Class I) and is also a Natural Monument (No. 329).
How many bears are in the wild now?
By the late 1900s, hunting and habitat loss had reduced the wild population to only about 5 bears in South Korea.
A government re‑introduction program began in 2004, releasing Russian Far East bears that share the same genetic lineage.
By 2024, the Korea National Park Service reported about 86 wild Asiatic black bears living mainly in Jirisan National Park.
In addition, there are still hundreds of captive bears (around 322 bears on 20 farms as reported recently) used historically for bear farming.
Where do they live?
Today, almost all wild bears in South Korea are concentrated in Jirisan National Park and nearby mountainous areas in the south.
Historically, bears ranged across many mountain regions of the peninsula, but now the wild population is highly localized
1. Asiatic Black Bear (Moon Bear) – the only current wild species in Korea
This is the only bear species currently living in the wild across the Korean Peninsula.
- Status in South Korea: Nearly extinct by the early 2000s (only 5–10 left). A major reintroduction program started in 2004 using bears from Russia and North Korea. The population in Jirisan National Park has grown successfully to around 80–86 wild bears as of recent years, exceeding original targets. Some bears have started dispersing to nearby forests.
- Status in North Korea: More stable populations exist in mountainous areas.
- Characteristics: Medium-sized, black fur with a distinctive white/cream V-shaped crescent on the chest. Excellent tree climbers. They prefer forests and eat fruits, nuts, insects, and small animals.
- Conservation: Protected as an endangered species. Challenges include habitat fragmentation and occasional human-bear conflicts.
2. Brown Bear – historically present in northern Korea but now likely extinct there
Historically found in northern Korea, but it is now considered likely extinct (extirpated) in the wild on the peninsula.
Brown bear - Wikipedia