"Waste of Police Resources Due to Terror Threat 'Bomb Planted'... Punishment Is Lenient"

Fines and Suspended Sentences Common
Repeat Offenders Also Face Up to 1 Year Imprisonment

Recently, there have been consecutive reports of threats warning of terrorism against political circles and major domestic institutions, impersonating Japanese lawyers, prompting the police to launch an investigation. There are calls for stronger penalties against habitual terrorist threats.

Police SWAT team conducting counter-terrorism training. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 7th, Asia Economy analyzed 10 verdicts of cases prosecuted for terrorist threats and other charges, finding that only three defendants were sentenced to imprisonment. Those sentenced to prison were habitual offenders with prior convictions for similar crimes, and even then, all received sentences of one year or less.

They were mostly charged with intimidation or obstruction of official duties by deception. Under current law, intimidation carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 5 million won, detention, or a minor fine. Obstruction of official duties by deception, a crime involving providing false information to hinder public officials' duties, carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

However, punishments for intimidation crimes are generally minor, often resulting in fines or suspended prison sentences. Mr. A falsely reported on December 20, 2020, to the Suseo Police Station in Seoul that explosives had been planted, causing dozens of police officers to control and search the premises. The court, considering that Mr. A confessed to the crime, sentenced him to six months in prison with a two-year suspension. Mr. B made 86 false reports to emergency number 112 from February 14 to March 16, 2016, claiming explosives had been planted, but the court, taking into account his mental state, sentenced him to eight months in prison with a two-year suspension.

The problem is that numerous police officers are deployed to search for explosives, hindering their duties such as crime prevention and investigation. On the 2nd and 3rd of this month, reports were received claiming explosives had been planted at the People Power Party's central office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and at the local office of Representative Kwon Seong-dong, prompting police searches. However, no hazardous materials or unusual items were found, and the police withdrew.

Experts emphasize that false reports of terrorist threats pose a danger to public safety and that perpetrators must be pursued to the end with strong legal measures. Professor Kwak Dae-kyung of Dongguk University’s Police and Judicial College said, “Legislation should strengthen penalties or the Supreme Court Sentencing Commission should raise sentencing levels to change social perceptions through verdicts. Even if it takes a long time, a careful approach is needed to prevent similar crimes.”

Professor Kim Young-sik of Soonchunhyang University’s Department of Police Administration also argued, “Strict civil damages claims should be imposed on victims of terrorist threats to publicly emphasize that such acts are not pranks but cause massive administrative waste and national losses.”