Busan Shark Draws 1.5 Million Visitors as Officials Weigh Next Steps
A 3.5-meter dusky shark nicknamed Bukang-i has turned an artificial canal at Busan North Port into a major attraction, while officials balance visitor safety with concerns about stressing the animal.
A dusky shark that has remained in an artificial canal at Busan’s North Port for about a month has drawn roughly 1.5 million visitors, transforming an unusual wildlife sighting into a major public attraction and a challenge for local authorities.
The shark, estimated to be about 3.5 meters long, was first spotted at North Port Waterfront Park on Sept. 18. It was soon nicknamed “Bukang-i,” combining Bukhang, the Korean name for North Port, with a familiar Korean suffix. Crowds began gathering along the waterfront to see the animal as it continued swimming in the narrow waterway.
Cumulative attendance at the park reached 1.496 million as of Friday, including about 32,000 visitors that day. Another 2,150 people arrived by 9 a.m. Saturday, putting the total on course to pass 1.5 million. That figure is equivalent to nearly half of Busan’s population, which stands at about 3.23 million.
The influx has given the waterfront park a sudden tourism boost, but it has also forced officials to manage two competing concerns: maintaining safety around the canal and protecting the shark from unnecessary stress. Authorities have already tried twice to guide Bukang-i back to open water.
One operation used vessels and water pumps to generate currents and noise intended to steer the shark toward the sea. A second attempt involved a large net. Both efforts failed after the animal avoided the equipment and returned to the canal. Officials have since suspended further attempts because repeated interventions could place excessive strain on the shark.
The spectacle has attracted national attention as well as large weekend crowds. President Lee Jae Myung visited the waterfront park on Monday during a trip to Busan, where he greeted people and took photographs with visitors who had assembled to see Bukang-i.
As of Saturday morning, the shark remained inside the canal and visitors continued to arrive. Local authorities said safety controls would remain in place around the waterway while they consult experts about the most appropriate response.
The situation now presents officials with a delicate wildlife-management decision. Leaving the shark undisturbed may reduce the immediate risk of stress from another capture effort, while its continued presence requires sustained crowd control and close monitoring of both the animal’s condition and public access near the water.