"We plan to intensively introduce our preparations, including a leopard pen, as Jo Cook's judgment is crucial in introducing Amur leopards," he said.

While in Seoul, the ALTA leader is scheduled to discuss the zoo's introduction of Amur leopards from Russia or Europe after inspecting their breeding facilities, Lee said.

According to the zoo, extinct Korean leopards are genetically identical to Amur leopards, which are currently found only in the Russian Far East and northeastern China. The Korean Peninsula was their major habitat in the past.

Many Korean leopards were found on the peninsula even until the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Their population rapidly declined due to indiscriminate poaching during the Japanese colonial rule (1910-45). Moreover, their habitats were destroyed since the nation's liberation in 1945, and they have completely disappeared without a trace from the peninsula from the 1970s.

"Hence, the introduction of Amur leopards, if realized, virtually means the restoration of Korean leopards," Lee said.

Seoul Zoo has been trying to introduce Amur leopards for years, and completed a pen satisfying international standards in May last year.

At present, some 200 Amur leopards are reportedly living in zoos around the world, and only about 70 survive in the wild. (Yonhap)