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Busan Metropolitan City Strengthens Safety Measures at North Port Waterfront Park Ahead of Chuseok Holiday Crowds Gathering to See Shark

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will strengthen safety management in cooperation with relevant agencies during the Chuseok holiday as the number of visitors coming to see the shark that appeared in the scenic waterway at North Port Waterfront Park continues to increase.

On September 22, the City held a meeting at North Port Waterfront Park with relevant agencies, including Dong-gu District Office, police, fire authorities, the Korea Coast Guard, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan Port Authority, and Busan Infrastructure Corporation, to discuss measures to prevent safety accidents caused by crowding and to safely return the shark to the sea.

First, during the Chuseok holiday, the City will operate a comprehensive situation room headed by the Director General of the Green City Bureau and establish an emergency response system with relevant agencies. The agencies will share their respective safety management plans, respond promptly on site if a hazardous situation arises, and rapidly communicate developments to the other agencies.

Approximately 50 emergency personnel from Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Infrastructure Corporation, Dong-gu District Office, the police, and other organizations will be deployed each day. Particular attention will be given to Pedestrian Bridges No. 4 and 5 and the waterfront, where visitors tend to congregate. The Korea Coast Guard and fire authorities will patrol twice daily to support on-site response operations.

When crowds become dense, visitors will be directed to disperse and entry to congested areas will be restricted. If excessive crowding occurs, sections may be closed or visitors may be directed to leave. In addition, to prevent nighttime accidents, the current restriction on access to the waterside area will remain in effect daily from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the following day.

The City will also prepare for traffic congestion and emergencies. Access to and from parking facilities will be managed, and the police and Dong-gu District Office will work to discourage illegal parking and stopping in surrounding areas. Traffic routes will also be kept clear to ensure rapid access for ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

If the 464-space parking lot at North Port Waterfront Park reaches capacity, visitors will be directed to use the approximately 1,500 parking spaces at the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal to disperse vehicle traffic. In the event of traffic congestion or an emergency, the comprehensive situation room will share on-site information and coordinate a joint response with the police, fire authorities, the Korea Coast Guard, and other relevant agencies.

Meanwhile, the City plans to monitor through the Chuseok holiday whether the shark leaves the scenic waterway on its own and returns to the sea. If it remains in the scenic waterway after the holiday, the City will consult with the National Institute of Fisheries Science and other relevant agencies on rescue measures.

If the shark does not leave on its own, the City plans to hold a meeting on September 28 with the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the Korea Coast Guard, Busan Port Authority, and other relevant agencies to assess the shark’s condition and review rescue methods, as well as the personnel and equipment needed to return it safely to the sea.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, “We will closely manage the site in cooperation with relevant agencies so that visitors can use the park safely during the Chuseok holiday. We ask visitors to follow the instructions of safety personnel, refrain from leaning on railings or entering restricted areas, and, in particular, urge guardians accompanying children to pay close attention to their safety.”