Although South кσяєα, like most countries around the world, is currently living in peacetime, society still harbors a number of individuals with terrorist ideologies. These people often take advantage of large public gatherings to spread fear by posting threats on social media, forcing authorities to remain on constant alert and mobilize significant resources to respond.
Naturally, BTS concerts—especially free public performances that attract enormous crowds—are prime targets for individuals with such dangerous mindsets. Fortunately, no BTS concert has ever resulted in a tragedy involving loss of life. However, before many of the group's performances, numerous threats have surfaced online, and ARMYs have consistently been the ones to detect these warnings early and report them to the authorities, helping prevent potential risks.
The sentence handed down to one individual who threatened to attack a BTS concert is a direct result of the timely cooperation between fans and law enforcement authorities!
The National Police Agency announced on the 15th that it has filed lawsuits for damages in cases where false threats led to the unnecessary deployment of public law enforcement. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to file a damages lawsuit worth 2.28 million won (1.600 USD ~ 1.700 USD) against Mr. Kang, a man in his 50s.
Kang was accused of using his mobile phone at his home in Dobong District, Seoul, to post the comment, "I will put gasoline in a water bottle and throw it," under an Instagram post titled “Traffic Control Information for BTS’s Gwanghwamun Performance” on March 19 - two days before the concert took place. In addition, he left several other threatening comments directed at unspecified crowds, such as “I will commit arson” and “This Gwanghwamun concert will turn into a sea of fire.” The investigation revealed that he had posted a total of 22 comments implying harm to the lives or physical safety of unidentified people who were expected to gather around the concert venue.
After receiving a report through the 112 emergency hotline, ρσℓι¢є quickly identified Kang as the prime suspect and carried out an emergency arrest. During the investigation, Kang claimed that he had merely wanted to attract attention and had never intended to actually кιℓℓ anyone. However, authorities determined that this motive did not lessen the seriousness of his actions, as the threats caused widespread public anxiety and forced security agencies to deploy emergency response measures.
On that day, 13 special task units from nine ρσℓι¢є stations and αѕѕign mobile tactical forces to prevent any acts of νισℓєи¢є or weapon-related attacks. A dedicated monitoring unit under the cyber investigation division had been also established to prevent the spread of fake вσмв threats on social media and to closely track any signs of extremist activity in order to respond promptly.
Taking a strict stance against public threat crimes, ρσℓι¢є requested an arrest warrant for Kang. After the warrant was approved, the case was forwarded to prosecutors, and he was indicted while in custody. Last month, the Seoul Northern District Court sentenced Kang to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. In addition, he was placed under probation supervision and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. The court stated, "This crime undermines public security by causing anxiety and fear among many members of society. Therefore, a severe punishment is necessary."
Then, this month, determining that Kang's online posts had forced ρσℓι¢є officers to respond at the scene and implement additional security measures, authorities decided to impose civil liability on him as well. Police emphasized, "We will not only strengthen criminal sanctions but also impose substantial financial disadvantages to enhance both corrective and general preventive effects."
Meanwhile, the кσяєαn National Police Agency announced that it will actively operate Damage Compensation Review Committees within provincial and metropolitan ρσℓι¢є agencies to prevent future security gaps caused by the unnecessary waste of public law enforcement resources!
