"Seoul Middle School Bomb Threat Fax... Education Office 'Strengthens School Patrols'"

Emergency Situation Assessment Meeting Held on the Morning of the 13th

A fax in Japanese containing a threat stating "I will blow up all middle schools in Seoul" was received, prompting the education authorities to take action. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has strengthened patrols and facility inspections and instructed immediate reporting if suspicious circumstances are detected.

On the morning of the 13th, the Office of Education held an emergency situation assessment meeting regarding the bomb terror threat fax and implemented these countermeasures. It was previously reported that a threatening fax was sent to an agency under the Ministry of Justice the day before, and the police have launched an investigation. The fax reportedly stated in Japanese that "bombs have already been planted in all middle schools in Seoul and will be detonated at 16:33 on February 14."

During the meeting, the following were discussed: ▲ dissemination of the situation to schools in the jurisdiction ▲ strengthening control of external visitors ▲ inspection of school facilities ▲ maintaining close cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Based on the meeting results, the Office of Education disseminated the situation to all schools in the jurisdiction and decided to strengthen patrols by school security officers and the police. They also took measures to thoroughly monitor school CCTV and inspect facilities, and instructed that any suspicious individuals or items found should be immediately reported to 112.

Furthermore, the Office of Education stated, "We will actively respond with the utmost priority on students' safety and will continue to develop countermeasures to enhance school safety in close cooperation with related agencies such as the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency."