Six high schools in Seoul faced disruption after receiving bomb threats sent by fax under the name “Takahiro Karasawa.” Authorities confirmed that several schools dismissed students early as a safety measure. Moreover, police said these threats matched earlier hoaxes that have persisted for over a year.
Investigators explained that the use of Karasawa’s name has been a recurring tactic. The Japanese lawyer, however, has publicly denied involvement. Furthermore, officials stressed that Karasawa himself remains a victim of malicious impersonation on online forums. Despite these clarifications, hoaxes using his name continue in both Japan and South Korea.
The South Korea bomb threats followed similar incidents at three middle schools in Seoul. Police noted that the impersonation first appeared in August 2023 with email threats. Early messages mentioned political figures and threatened explosions at symbolic city locations. Therefore, officials believe the recent cases are linked to the same individual.
At a press briefing, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency detailed ongoing cooperation with international counterparts. They said investigators are tracing phone numbers, email addresses, and sender details. However, the use of multiple relay services has slowed progress. Authorities stressed that cooperation with Japan and other countries is essential.
Police classified the most recent threats as low risk. They explained that the faxes contained mocking and prank-like language. In addition, they assessed that simultaneous bombings at multiple schools would not be possible. Consequently, they chose not to deploy specialized bomb disposal units.
Nonetheless, local stations increased patrols near the affected schools. The education office also distributed response guidelines to staff and administrators. These measures aimed to reassure parents and students while ensuring readiness. Moreover, the heightened presence highlighted the seriousness with which police treat repeated hoaxes.
According to education and police officials, the threats targeted Seoul High School, Hansung Science High School, Kyunggi High School, Yeongdeungpo High School, Daeil Foreign Language High School, and Ewha Girls’ High School. Each institution reported the faxed threats and adjusted operations accordingly.
The South Korea bomb threats illustrated how hoaxes can disrupt education and public safety. Although investigators consider them low risk, the ongoing impersonation of Karasawa demonstrates persistence. Authorities vowed to intensify international cooperation until the source is found. Ultimately, they stressed that public vigilance and cross-border collaboration remain key.
