Urban fishermen can also be found in Seoul. Recently, I participated in the 'Han River Fisherman' program. When I mentioned to people around me that I was heading to the Han River to report on a fisherman's life, they asked, "What kind of fisherman is that?" Some even remarked, "Aren't they just catching a few fish with a rod and selling them?"
It appeared as though everyone believed I was heading to Yeouido Han River Park with some snack foods for a rest. That is not true. These are genuine fishermen from fishing communities who have passed down their profession through generations, using nets and traps in the Han River's waters to catch eels, mullet, croakers, blue crabs, and other species to support themselves.
The report was conducted at Gimpo Jeollyuri Port, a location where the Han River estuary connects with the West Sea (Yellow Sea), but the first group I reached out to was the Haengju Fishing Community, which is situated upstream. The Haengju fishermen, whose activities are illustrated in Geumjae Jeongseon’s 'Haengho Gwan-eodo,' currently fish in the area between Gayang Bridge and Ilsan Bridge. Fisherman Shim Hwa-sik, 70 years old, mentioned, "We also work in waterways near Gayang-dong and Magok-dong in Gangseo-gu, which falls under Seoul's jurisdiction," and added, "We are essentially fishermen from Seoul." Even though I have lived in the city since adulthood, I only recently discovered that there are fishermen in Seoul.
In earlier times, snake catchers could be heard calling out, "Buy snakes, buy snakes!" in the "Bi~am" dialect near Cheonggyecheon. This indicates there were also "Seoul snake catchers." Seoul is a city surrounded by mountains. It has 14 peaks exceeding 300 meters in height, such as Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Suraksan, and Gwanaksan. This explains why foreigners who visit Seoul for Myeongdong and Gyeongbokgung Palace are captivated and impressed by "K-mountain climbing."
It's not unexpected that raccoon dog attacks sometimes happen in the center of Seoul. A report from the Seoul Institute of Technology last year revealed that wild raccoon dogs were found in 16 out of Seoul's 25 autonomous districts. Wild leopard cats were spotted in Amsa-dong, Gangdong-gu; goats near Yongmasan; and otters in the Han River. Wild boars have been a problem in Buam-dong for a long time. This is because of the city's geographical features, which are bordered by Bugaksan and Inwangsan.
Hazardous animals that enter the city center are frequently killed because they pose a threat to people. Without other options, this is a necessary action. The "love bugs" that caused fear among Seoul residents last summer are a good example. The Seoul Metropolitan Government first stated that these insects are "helpful for pollination," but after public criticism, they eventually took steps to manage the pests. With almost 10,000 complaints last year, it was probably an unavoidable decision.
The reality that the ways to live in harmony with nature within this urban environment are mostly restricted to "culling" and "pest management" sparks doubts about upcoming approaches. One study indicates that climate change is a factor behind the sharp rise in love bugs in recent years. A representative from the National Institute of Ecology stated, "If heatwaves last longer, snakes might migrate to shaded or streamside locations, leading to more sightings in areas where people are active."
The appearance of wild animals is ultimately a result of the urban environments we have built and the ongoing climate crisis. As we get closer to nature, unexpected interactions are expected to happen more often. Where should we locate the equilibrium between human comfort and the desire to comprehend these unwanted visitors?
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