A 3,5-meter-long bull shark, nicknamed "Bukhangi" after its location, was first spotted in a canal at Busan North Port on 18/9. Its unusual presence quickly captivated the public, drawing immense crowds to the coastal park.

The shark's unexpected arrival turned into a significant tourist attraction, especially during the four-day Chuseok holiday last weekend. Approximately 480,000 people visited the area, a dramatic increase from the usual 2,000 daily visitors. By 30/9, the total number of onlookers had swelled to about 600,000. This surge in visitors also boosted local businesses, with sales of shark-shaped ice cream bars at nearby convenience stores increasing by almost 30%.

Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo acknowledged the shark's contribution, stating it provided the city with a promotional effect that would typically cost trillions of won (billions of USD) to achieve. In recognition of this, "Bukhangi" was elected as the city's honorary public relations ambassador, receiving a 91% approval rate in a vote involving 8,000 participants.

Residents gathered to watch the shark on 20/9. Photo: Yonhap

Bull sharks usually inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, making their appearance in Korean seas "quite rare," according to Kim Jin-koo, a professor of global fisheries at Pukyong National University in Busan. "Due to rising sea temperatures around South Korea, it appears to have moved closer to our country's coast," Kim explained.

South Korean coast guard vessels on 29/9 attempted to spray water to guide the shark back to sea, but the animal swam away from the streams. Officials now plan to use nets to try and remove the shark from the canal on 2/10.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)