(LEAD) Busan authorities fail to guide shark to open sea, set to resume operation within days

BUSAN, September 29 (Yonhap) -- Plans to resume operations at Busan's North Port were set to begin within days after authorities struggled to guide a shark trapped in a canal to the open sea. The authorities, comprising the Busan Coast Guard and related agencies, utilized five vessels to attempt herding the shark toward the outer sea by spraying water streams.

Surveillance began around 10 a.m. as officials moved from the inner canal toward the exit area while dispensing water. However, the shark repeatedly eluded the streams by swimming rapidly past the boats. After a day-long effort, the operation was halted at 3:20 p.m., with authorities stating that a subsequent attempt using a specially crafted net would likely occur later in the week.

Dubbed "Bukang-i" by locals, combining the terms North Port and the Korean suffix "i," the marine creature attracted over 600,000 visitors since its initial sighting on September 18. Initial attempts to drive the shark away by local maritime police and authorities failed, leading to the suspension of operations. With no signs of feeding since the shark's discovery, the local authorities concluded that allowing the animal to remain in the canal was no longer a viable option and convened a meeting on Monday to devise rescue strategies.