"Exercise Caution": Recurring Disaster Alerts as Sharks Spotted in Multiple Locations

Our third hot topic today.

Sharks have been spotted.

Reports of shark sightings have been emerging one after another along the east coast, a popular summer vacation destination.

The city of Gangneung sent out a disaster safety text message on July 4, warning that a shark had been spotted 4 kilometers east of Anmok Beach and advising the public to exercise caution during marine leisure activities and swimming.

This is not the first time this year that sharks capable of posing a threat to humans have appeared off the east coast.

A total of 46 sharks were discovered off the east coast through June, a figure nearly four times higher than the same period last year.

In particular, as highly aggressive mako sharks account for half of these sightings, vacationers need to be extra careful.

The frequent shark sightings are linked to rising water temperatures off the east coast.

Last year, the average surface water temperature in South Korean waters rose by 1.58°C (3°F) compared to 57 years ago.

Among these, the East Sea saw a temperature increase of 2.04°C (4°F), which was a larger rise than in the West Sea or the South Sea.

Local governments are strengthening measures to protect vacationers, such as installing shark nets at beaches and monitoring for shark sightings.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.