Trending Now - South Korea's Escaped Wolf Sparks Public Concern and Creativity

WHO:

NBC News - The male wolf is named Neukgu.

NBC News - President Lee Jae Myung expressed concern about the escaped wolf.

WHAT:

BBC News - Neukgu escaped from the O-World zoo in Daejeon.

NBC News - Neukgu is a roughly two-year-old male wolf weighing about 35 kilograms (77 lbs).

NBC News - More than 100 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and military personnel, are involved in the search for Neukgu.

NBC News - A meme coin named “Neukgu” has appeared on decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges with a trading volume of about $140,000 in the last 24 hours.

NBC News - An English-language community for the wolf on X has attracted nearly 500 followers.

WHERE:

BBC News - The wolf escaped from a zoo in the central city of Daejeon, South Korea.

NBC News - Daejeon is located about 170 kilometres (105.63 miles) south of the capital, Seoul.

WHEN:

BBC News - Neukgu escaped on Wednesday, April 6th, 2026.

NBC News - The search for Neukgu has been ongoing for three days as of April 9th, 2026.

NBC News - President Lee Jae Myung posted his message of concern on Thursday, April 7th, 2026.

WHY:

NBC News - The escape of Neukgu has captivated the public and prompted concern from the president.

HOW:

NBC News - Neukgu escaped by burrowing under a fence.

NBC News - Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras were deployed in the search for the wolf.

(UPDATED April 10, 2026 21:12 UTC)

A male wolf named Neukgu escaped from the O-World zoo in Daejeon, South Korea, on Wednesday, on Monday, prompting concern from President Lee Jae Myung. The search for the roughly two-year-old wolf, who weighs about 35 kilograms, has involved more than 100 personnel, including firefighters and police officers, and has been ongoing for three days as of on Thursday. In a twist, a meme coin named “Neukgu” has emerged on decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges, generating a trading volume of about $140,000 in the last 24 hours.