South Korea’s Jukdo Island gains popularity thanks to a dog

A golden retriever dog has made his island very famous, appearing in more than 1000 photographs on Korean Google Maps and accompanying tourists and web users to discover his itineraries. For everyone, the dog has been and always will be a local excellence, a guide like few others

In South Korea, an island named Jukdo, located near the larger Ulleungdo, has seen a surge in popularity among travelers and locals alike, thanks to a golden retriever. This charming canine has become a talking point for the island’s stunning natural landscapes – and for himself.

The lovable pup has appeared in over 1,000 snapshots on the Korean search portal Daum, which, similar to Google Maps, offers a street view option.

By entering the island’s name and accessing the map, visitors can explore trees, rocks, natural trails, and, unexpectedly, the golden retriever throughout much of the photographed journey.

It may sound like a joke, but it truly happened. Just visit Daum to embark on this virtual journey with a special guide who, over the years, has become a symbol of Jukdo.

The story of this dog has traveled across the internet, landing on forums like Reddit. Through discussions on the platform, it was discovered that the celebrated golden retriever was named Maru and belonged to a local family.

The dog arrived on the island at the age of 2 and lived there until a few years ago when he passed away. Korean newspapers also paid tribute to Maru, describing him as an extremely sociable and affectionate dog.

He had a great love for people and nature and enjoyed chasing anything that sparked his curiosity. Thus, he ended up on Daum, where those shots honor him as the “guide dog of Jukdo”.

Source: Daum – Kakaomap