'Shinsegae Department Store Bomb Threat' Poster Apprehended in Jeju is a Middle School Student

A middle school student who posted an online message claiming to have planted an explosive device at the Shinsegae Department Store Myeong-dong Main Branch has been apprehended in Jeju.

On August 6, the Jeju Western Police Station announced that they are investigating a first-year male middle school student, referred to as Student A, on charges of public intimidation under the Criminal Act.

Student A is accused of posting a message on an online community at approximately 12:36 p.m. the previous day, under the title "Shinsegae Department Store Bombing Notice," in which he claimed to have planted an explosive device and implied a terrorist act.

Student A wrote, "Do not go to Shinsegae Department Store today under any circumstances," and added, "I actually planted explosives on the first floor yesterday. It will explode at 3 p.m. today." As a result, approximately 4,000 people, including Shinsegae Department Store employees and customers, were urgently evacuated from the building. In addition, 242 personnel, including the police special forces, were deployed to search various areas of the department store for about an hour and 30 minutes, causing a major disturbance.

The police are currently investigating Student A to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.