Wolf that escaped Daejeon zoo becomes local celebrity, inspires themed pastries and viral memes

Neukgu, a wolf that briefly escaped from a zoo in Daejeon, has become an unlikely local celebrity, inspiring themed pastries, viral memes and a surge of interest in the still-closed park where it lives.

2026-04-19

Daejeon’s O-World to remain closed while fugitive wolf Neukgu recuperates

Runaway wolf Neukgu is recuperating at Daejeon’s O-World, with the theme park and zoo expected to remain closed until the wolf recovers and facility maintenance is completed.

2026-04-18

Daejeon's mascot Kkumdori earns city a fortune through instant noodles, makgeolli, pastries sales

An iconic city mascot might do more than just boost popularity — merchandise featuring Daejeon's mascot, Kkumdori and its family has helped the city generate billions in won in sales since 2024.

2026-04-18

SWAT teams, soldiers and drones mobilized to capture wolf on the lam in Daejeon

The search for a wolf that escaped from its pen at Daejeon’s O-World theme park has entered its second day, it said Thursday.

2026-04-09

Wolf escapes from Daejeon zoo, search operations underway

A wolf escaped from Daejeon's O-World theme park on Wednesday morning, and authorities are currently searching for the missing canine.

2026-04-08

Man arrested in Daejeon for allegedly burning stray cats

A suspected animal abuser who allegedly tortured stray cats by inflicting burns was arrested, the Daejeon Dongbu Police Precinct said Monday.

2026-04-06

Daejeon to provide free acceleration-preventing devices to older drivers to reduce traffic accidents

This year, Daejeon’s metropolitan government will provide free devices designed to prevent unintended acceleration for 200 taxis driven by people age 70 and older as part of efforts to reduce traffic accidents involving older drivers.

2026-04-05

Daejeon factory held no fire drills before deadly blaze, employees say

Employees at a Daejeon auto parts manufacturer where a deadly fire killed 14 and left 60 more injured on March 20 testified that fire drills existed only on paper and were never actually conducted.

2026-03-30

Site of deadly Daejeon factory fire reportedly saw seven other blazes over 15 years

Seven fires in 15 years. That’s how many blazes have occurred at the Anjun Industrial complex in Daejeon, indicating a pattern of overlooked hazards and safety inspection failures that culminated in the latest fire that left 74 dead or injured.

2026-03-24

Lee issues apology over deadly Daejeon factory fire

President Lee Jae Myung issued an apology on Tuesday over a deadly fire at a car parts plant in the central city of Daejeon that left 14 people dead and 60 others injured last week.