A post about explosives uploaded to an online community on the 5th
Police dispatched, 4,000 employees and customers evacuated
No explosives found after search... Operations resume as normal
On August 5, Shinsegae Department Store addressed an online post threatening to bomb its Myeong-dong main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, stating, "According to a police investigation, the post was confirmed to be false." The company added, "We will take strong measures, including legal action, against acts that create public anxiety and threaten the safety of our customers through the spread of false information."
On the 5th, a threat claiming that an explosive device had been planted was posted on an online community regarding the Shinsegae Department Store main branch in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. After receiving the report, the police special forces completed their search and are now moving. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, at approximately 12:36 p.m. on the same day, a post titled "Shinsegae Department Store Bombing Notice" was uploaded to the DC Inside Synthesis Gallery online community, claiming that explosives had been planted and implying a terrorist act.
The author of the post wrote, "Do not go to the Shinsegae Department Store main branch today under any circumstances," and added, "I really planted explosives on the first floor yesterday. It will be detonated at 3 p.m. today." The post has since been deleted.
The Namdaemun Police Station received a report regarding the post at 1:43 p.m., dispatched officers to the scene, and evacuated approximately 4,000 employees and customers from the department store while restricting access to the surrounding area. Subsequently, a total of 242 personnel, including the police special operations unit, were deployed to search the department store for about one hour and 30 minutes, but no explosives were found. The police concluded the search and lifted the site restrictions at 3:59 p.m.
A representative from Shinsegae Department Store stated, "As soon as we were informed of the situation, we immediately evacuated customers and employees." They added, "Currently, business operations are proceeding safely and normally." The company further emphasized, "We will continue to prioritize the safety of our customers and employees, and we will do our utmost to ensure that Shinsegae remains a safe and trustworthy shopping destination."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
