20s Male Who Posted False Claim "Bomb Placed in University Library"... Suspended Sentence

Court: "Serious nature of the crime, but considering factors such as being a young adult starting out in society"

A man in his 20s who posted a message online claiming that he had planted explosives, causing the military and police to respond, was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A man in his 20s who posted a false message online claiming that explosives had been planted in a university library, causing the military and police to be dispatched, was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

The Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Kim Do-yeon) announced on the 23rd that it sentenced Mr. A (26), who was indicted on charges of obstruction of official duties by deception, to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. The court also ordered Mr. A to perform 120 hours of community service.

The court stated, "Due to the defendant's prank, the police and others were dispatched unnecessarily," and "The crime is serious as it could cause harm by preventing citizens who actually need help from receiving timely assistance."

However, the court explained the sentencing by considering "the defendant's remorse, the fact that he is a young adult starting his career, and that he has no prior criminal record."

A man in his 20s who posted a message online claiming that he had planted explosives, causing the military and police to respond, was sentenced to a suspended prison term.
Photo by Reader, Yonhap News

On April 2nd last year, at 3:13 p.m., Mr. A posted on the anonymous online community 'Everytime' of Chungnam National University from the first floor of the university library in Daejeon, writing, "I have planted a bomb on the first floor of the library," and "It is set to explode at 3:30 p.m. This is not a joke, evacuate immediately."

This caused a commotion as about 200 students and faculty members inside the library urgently evacuated the building.

The army bomb disposal unit, police SWAT team, and firefighters who responded to the report investigated the library for explosives but found none.

Police investigations revealed that the post was fabricated by Mr. A. It is known that Mr. A stated his motive was "to play a prank and to gain attention."