The Unexpected Boom from Busan's Shark "Bukang-i"... City to Monitor Until the 27th

If the Shark Remains After the Holidays, It Will Be Guided to Open Sea
Crowds Flood In as "Bukang-i" Becomes a Local Sensation

With a shark lingering in the waterway of the Busan Port North Harbor Waterfront Park becoming a hot topic in the region, local authorities are reportedly considering ways to guide the shark out of the waterway.

According to Yonhap News Agency on the 23rd, officials from Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Port Authority, Busan Maritime Police Station, and the National Institute of Fisheries Science held a meeting to discuss countermeasures regarding the 3.5-meter-long shark roaming the waterfront park. Authorities have decided to continue monitoring the shark’s movements until the upcoming Chuseok holiday, which lasts until the 27th.

On the 20th, citizens are capturing on camera a shark that appeared in the waterway of the Busan Port North Harbor Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, should the shark remain in the waterway beyond that period, officials are considering options to guide it out to open waters. In addition, safety measures will be reinforced in preparation for the possibility of many visitors coming to see the shark during the Chuseok holiday.

The shark was first spotted on the 18th in the canal created along the waterfront park by the sea. At first, the maritime police and others attempted to drive the shark out, but it has not yet left the waterway. Following recommendations from the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the maritime police have decided to wait and allow the shark to leave on its own, suspending all removal operations.

Meanwhile, public interest in the shark has surged among Busan residents, with many people visiting the waterfront park to see it. The shark has even been given the nickname "Bukang-i," meaning it was discovered in North Harbor (Bukhang).

The number of daily visitors to the waterfront park, which used to be about 2,000, soared to around 20,000 over the weekend, and as many as 10,000 people visited on the 21st alone. The influx of people coming to see the shark has reportedly boosted sales at nearby convenience stores and cafes.

The authorities anticipate that visitors will continue to come to the waterfront park during the holiday and have said they will manage the site to ensure a safe distance between the visitors and the shark and prevent any accidents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.