Male Wolf Escaped from Korean Zoo, Roaming Free for 3 Days; Meme Coin Emerges, Lee Jae-myung Cares
A wolf named Neukgu, which escaped from a zoo in Daejeon, South Korea, has been missing for three days, causing social concern and a massive search. A meme coin named 'Neukgu' has emerged, reflecting the incident's viral nature, with even politician Lee Jae-myung expressing hopes for its safe return.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 19:58
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 21:01 (1h 3m after Published)
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Reuters reports that officials at the O-World Zoo in Daejeon City stated that a male wolf named Neukgu, approximately two years old and weighing about 35 kilograms, is suspected of digging under its enclosure and successfully escaped on the morning of the 8th.
Nearby elementary schools have suspended classes as a precautionary measure. According to fire department and city officials, over 100 people, including firefighters, police officers, and military personnel, are continuously searching for Neukgu.
City officials told Reuters today that drones equipped with infrared cameras have been deployed for the search.
Lee Jae-myung posted on social media platform X, urging relevant authorities to ensure the incident concludes safely. He posted yesterday, "I hope there will be no casualties, and I pray for Neukgu's safe return home." This post has been shared over 1,400 times.
In Daejeon City, about 170 kilometers south of Seoul, the incident has garnered widespread attention from the public and online communities.
A meme coin named Neukgu has been listed on decentralized cryptocurrency trading platforms such as PumpSwap, with a trading volume of approximately $140,000 USD in the past 24 hours as of today. An X account named Neukgu has attracted nearly 500 followers.
Local media reports show Neukgu walking on the road. Born in 2024, it is part of South Korea's "Korean Wolf Restoration Project." Wild Korean wolves have been declared extinct.
In recent years, South Korea has experienced several animal escape incidents from zoos, including a zebra that roamed Seoul streets for hours in 2023 before returning to its enclosure.
Nearby elementary schools have suspended classes as a precautionary measure. According to fire department and city officials, over 100 people, including firefighters, police officers, and military personnel, are continuously searching for Neukgu.
City officials told Reuters today that drones equipped with infrared cameras have been deployed for the search.
Lee Jae-myung posted on social media platform X, urging relevant authorities to ensure the incident concludes safely. He posted yesterday, "I hope there will be no casualties, and I pray for Neukgu's safe return home." This post has been shared over 1,400 times.
In Daejeon City, about 170 kilometers south of Seoul, the incident has garnered widespread attention from the public and online communities.
A meme coin named Neukgu has been listed on decentralized cryptocurrency trading platforms such as PumpSwap, with a trading volume of approximately $140,000 USD in the past 24 hours as of today. An X account named Neukgu has attracted nearly 500 followers.
Local media reports show Neukgu walking on the road. Born in 2024, it is part of South Korea's "Korean Wolf Restoration Project." Wild Korean wolves have been declared extinct.
In recent years, South Korea has experienced several animal escape incidents from zoos, including a zebra that roamed Seoul streets for hours in 2023 before returning to its enclosure.