"Explosives Planted at Children's Grand Park"... Teenagers Referred for False Report

Teenagers who made a false report claiming that explosives had been planted at Seoul Children's Grand Park have been referred to the prosecution.

The Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 28th that they had referred Teen A (18) in custody and Teen B (19) without detention on charges of obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means.

According to the police, they are accused of making a false report in September last year, claiming that explosives had been installed at Seoul Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

While Teen B called the police to say, "I have planted explosives at the Children's Grand Park," Teen A broadcast the incident live on a Discord server. The false report led to the emergency deployment of over 140 police and fire personnel, evacuation of park visitors, and a search of the premises, causing significant disruption.

Police investigations revealed that in July, Teen A made various false reports and prank calls to public institutions and streamed them live on a Discord server, receiving donations from participants. Teen B participated as a member of the server and made the false report himself.

Additionally, the police stated that they had identified four more offenses committed by Teen A and referred him on charges of obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means and violation of the Minor Offenses Act.

A police official stated, "False reports such as claims of explosives being planted can delay rescue activities for citizens who genuinely need help," adding, "We will respond strictly, in principle by making arrests, to repeated and socially damaging false reports."