Seoul Police Form Dedicated Investigation Team After Bomb Threats Target Presidential Office, Schools

Task Force Activated in Preparation for Blue House Return

Recently, as a series of threats claiming that explosives had been installed at schools and the presidential office have been posted, the police have decided to form a dedicated investigation team.

On November 17, Park Jeongbo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a regular press briefing, "We will organize a dedicated team at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to focus investigations on public threats targeting unspecified individuals, threats against key figures, and the dissemination of manipulated false information."

Commissioner Park said, "Since the crime of public threats was newly established in March this year, we have arrested 41 people over the past seven months, with four of them being detained, demonstrating our strict response. Nevertheless, as these crimes have not been eradicated and continue to increase, we have decided to form a dedicated team to respond more proactively."

Commissioner Park added, "If the dedicated team handles areas that require more in-depth investigation, I believe we can make further progress. By consolidating the investigations, we can respond more efficiently, which is why we have decided to focus our efforts."

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency also announced that, in preparation for the presidential office's return to the Blue House later this year, they formed a task force (TF) led by the Deputy Chief of Public Safety in September and have been developing countermeasures. A large number of personnel who had been transferred to Yongsan Police Station will return to Jongno Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the Blue House. The Tongui and Ogin police substations near the Blue House will be converted back into regular local stations, with 22 to 26 officers working in a 24-hour shift system. Currently, after the presidential office moved to Yongsan, the two substations were converted into 'community policing stations,' with only two officers working from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Regarding concerns that the area near the Blue House has become a 'running course' or a popular tourist spot for foreigners, Commissioner Park said, "Once the presidential office moves in, I expect access will be much more restricted than it is now," adding, "We will need to coordinate with the Presidential Security Service."