What measures is Busan considering to prevent sharks from reaching its beaches?

Busan plans to discuss measures at a Nov. 17 meeting, including classifying sharks as harmful marine life alongside toxic jellyfish. That designation could allow authorities to install nets along beaches as they typically do for toxic jellyfish.

Why has Bukangi attracted so many visitors to Busan’s waterfront park?

Bukangi has remained in a canal at the waterfront park despite repeated rescue attempts by authorities. The shark was first spotted there on Sept. 18, and nearly 1.35 million people had visited the park to see it as of Sunday.

How many visitors did Busan’s beaches receive this year, and how did that compare with last year?

Busan’s beaches drew a record 22.5 million visitors this year, an increase of 2.54 percent from last year. The city cited the figure while planning measures to protect beachgoers from sharks.

Busan to devise measures to keep sharks at bay amid 'Bukangi' visit

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Summary

Busan city government said Tuesday it will devise measures to keep sharks away from beaches amid Bukangi’s continued stay in a canal at a waterfront park. Named after Bukhang, or North Port, Bukangi was first spotted there on Sept. 18 and has resisted repeated rescue attempts. The city will consider classifying sharks as harmful marine life and installing protective nets. Busan beaches attracted a record 22.5 million visitors this year.

Key Facts

Nearly 1.35 million people had visited the waterfront park to see Bukangi as of Sunday.
Busan’s meeting to evaluate this year’s beach operations is scheduled for Nov. 17.
The city is considering adding sharks to the harmful marine life category alongside toxic jellyfish.
Busan beach attendance rose 2.54 percent from last year to a record 22.5 million visitors.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 13, 2026 12:46 pm KST
Updated Oct 13, 2026 6:09 pm KST

Citizens gather at the waterfront park to catch a glimpse of 'Bukangi,' a shark lingering in the channel, Dong-gu, Busan, Oct. 4. Yonhap — Citizens gather at the waterfront park to catch a glimpse of "Bukangi," a shark lingering in the channel, Dong-gu, Busan, Oct. 4. Yonhap

The Busan city government said Tuesday it will devise measures to keep sharks at bay to protect beachgoers amid the animal's unusual visit to one of the city's canals.

"Bukangi" — which was named after Bukhang, or North Port, where it was first spotted on Sept. 18 — has refused to leave the canal at a waterfront park in the southeastern city despite authorities' repeated rescue attempts.

The shark has drawn throngs of visitors to the park, with the number reaching nearly 1.35 million as of Sunday.

A meeting to evaluate authorities' operation of beaches this year is scheduled for Nov. 17, and the city government said it will also discuss measures to prevent sharks from reaching the shores.

Among the plans is including sharks in the harmful marine life category, along with toxic jellyfish, for which authorities have typically installed nets along beaches.

Busan's beaches are a popular attraction and drew a record 22.5 million visitors this year, up 2.54 percent from last year, according to the city government.

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