According to The Korea Times, the incident began with a chilling social media post stating, “Announcement: Bombing Shinsegae Mall.” The post claimed that explosives had been planted on the first floor of the popular Shinsegae department store, with a detonation set for 3 p.m. on August 16.
In response, authorities swiftly mobilized more than 240 police officers and special forces. Around 3,000 customers and 1,000 employees were evacuated from the building as part of an immediate lockdown. After over an hour of intensive investigation, no explosives were found, and mall operations resumed later in the day.
Police traced the post’s IP address to a 13-year-old student, who was arrested at his home that evening. During interrogation, the boy confessed that he had made the threat “out of curiosity” to see how people would react.
However, the consequences were far from harmless. Shinsegae’s main branch reported an estimated 500–600 million won (USD 362,000–434,000) in financial losses due to the 2.5-hour disruption. The company issued a stern statement condemning the prank, warning that such hoaxes cause “public anxiety and compromise customer safety,” and announced it would pursue legal action.
Despite the scale of the incident, the boy will not face criminal prosecution. Under South Korean law, individuals under a certain age are exempt from criminal responsibility and are instead processed under juvenile protection measures.
This event is part of a growing concern. On August 6, police also investigated a separate bomb threat posted in a YouTube comment — although no specific location or time was mentioned, multiple Shinsegae locations were forced to conduct emergency checks.
Previously, a 27-year-old man was arrested in South Gyeongsang Province for a similar hoax, claiming it was meant as a joke. These acts are often prosecuted as obstruction of business or public duties, and can result in severe legal consequences.
In response to such incidents, educators and psychologists are urging parents to become more vigilant. Books like Dr. Shimi Kang’s guide on raising children in the digital age are gaining attention. Drawing on scientific research, the book warns about the negative impacts of technology on children’s brains, behavior, and overall development — a timely reminder amid rising concerns about youth and digital responsibility.
Sources: Znews