Despite Two Rescue Attempts, 'Bukang-i' Remains in North Port; Cumulative Visitors Reach 890,000

[Financial News]  Despite two attempts to capture the shark, citizens continue to visit Busan North Port Waterfront Park to see Bukang-i, who has remained in the Busan North Port waterway. The number of visitors to the park since the shark appeared has nearly reached 900,000. According to the Busan Metropolitan City Government, 69,000 people had visited Busan North Port Waterfront Park as of 6 p.m. on the 4th. The cumulative number of visitors has reached 891,000 since Bukang-i first appeared on the 19th of last month. This is an exceptional figure compared with the average of about 2,000 weekend visitors before the shark appeared. The previous day, 72,000 people visited the park, including during the evening.
As holiday crowds poured in, vehicle access to the outdoor parking lot at Busan International Passenger Terminal was restricted from the morning. Visitors also concentrated around the waterway and pedestrian bridge where Bukang-i could be seen. A total of 107 personnel from the Busan Metropolitan City Government, Busan Infrastructure Corporation, the Korea Coast Guard (KCG), police and other relevant agencies were deployed for on-site safety management.
Bukang-i remains in the waterway despite two attempts by rescue authorities to capture the shark. Rather than launching another rescue operation, authorities decided to monitor whether it would make its own way back to the sea. They also removed the net installed to secure a passage for the shark's movement the previous day.
As Bukang-i is believed not to be feeding properly, relevant agencies will continue to monitor its health.

[email protected] Seong Cho-rong Reporter