Busan shark becomes tourist sensation, but stirs concerns over warming seas

A shark unexpectedly stranded in an artificial waterway at Busan’s North Port has become a sensation, drawing more than half a million visitors — but experts and environmental groups warn that the frenzy risks turning the animal into a spectacle while overlooking what its unusual appearance may signal about a changing marine environment. The shark has remained in the artificial waterway at North Port for 12 days as of Tuesday. More than 483,000 people visited the park during the Chuseok holiday alone, while cumulative visitors have surpassed 560,000 since the city began counting them on Sept. 19. Social media users dubbed the shark "Bukangi," from "buk hang" — the Korean name for Busan’s North Port. As public interest surged, Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo described the shark’s unexpected appearance as an opportunity to raise the profile of the North Port area. Riding on Bukangi’s growing popularity, the city on Tuesday officially appointed the shark as an honorary promotional ambassador. The shark's popularity has also delivered a boost to nearby businesses. Some convenience store