[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] On August 5, a false bomb threat posted on an online forum prompted the evacuation of customers and staff from the Shinsegae Department Store’s main branch in Myeongdong, Seoul. The post, which claimed that explosives had been planted inside the store, was quickly determined to be a hoax following a police investigation.



Shinsegae Department Store issued an official statement clarifying the situation: “We immediately initiated evacuation procedures for the safety of our customers and employees upon recognizing the online threat. The post has been confirmed as false by police, and our store has since resumed normal operations.”



The company also announced its intention to pursue legal action against the individual responsible for spreading the false information. “This malicious act caused public anxiety and threatened customer safety. We will respond firmly, including taking legal measures,” the company said.



The threatening post appeared on the “Photoshop Gallery” section of DC Inside, a major South Korean online community, around 12:36 p.m. The author warned, “Do not go to Shinsegae Department Store today. I installed real explosives on the first floor yesterday. It will detonate at 3 p.m. today.”



The Namdaemun Police Station received a report at 1:43 p.m. and promptly evacuated the premises under the direction of the station chief. A full search was conducted by the SWAT team and fire authorities, confirming that no explosives were present.

 

 

 

[ⓒ 알파경제. 무단전재-재배포 금지]