The prolonged nature of the investigation has necessitated an extended police presence at Yatap Station. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SUWON, Sept. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – A week after an anonymous online post threatened a mass stabbing at a busy subway station in the Seoul suburb of Seongnam, local residents remain on edge as the author of the menacing message continues to elude authorities.
The incident began on September 18, when an unidentified individual posted on an online community forum, stating their intention to “stab 30 people and die” at Yatap Station on the Suin-Bundang Line in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
The post specified that the attack would occur at 6 p.m. on September 23, targeting the poster’s friends and acquaintances living near the station. The threat also included plans to start fires.
Despite immediate action by the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency upon receiving reports from concerned netizens, the agency has been unable to identify the author of the post, let alone make an arrest.
This failure has led to a significant deployment of law enforcement resources and growing unease among local residents.
Adding to the tension, a follow-up post appeared on the same online forum the next day, taunting police efforts: “Police cars are coming, and they’re trying hard to find me. Keep searching diligently, I’m in Yatap now.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether this message was from the original poster or a copycat.
While the threatened attack did not materialize on the specified date, police continue their investigation to identify the individual behind the posts.
Regular patrols continue even after the specified date has passed. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The incident has highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down authors of online threats, with a cybercrime investigator noting that many such cases end without identifying suspects.
The situation has echoes of a similar threat made last year following a deadly stabbing incident in Bundang that killed two and injured 12.
In that case, the individual who posted an online threat targeting a nearby station also remains at large.
Law enforcement officials cite several obstacles in these investigations, including a lack of cooperation from some online platforms, anonymity features on certain forums, and the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask IP addresses.
The prolonged nature of the investigation has necessitated an extended police presence at Yatap Station.
On the day of the threatened attack, over 120 personnel, including police and volunteer patrol groups, were deployed along with an armored vehicle. Regular patrols continue even after the specified date has passed.
The incident has reignited discussions about the broader implications of online threats and the strain they place on public resources.
Lee Woong-hyuk of Konkuk University’s Police Science Department warns that unresolved cases like this could erode public trust in law enforcement and national security.
“Since last year, citizens have been exposed to incidents of knife rampages, so when the authors of such threatening posts are not apprehended, it can lead to increased anxiety,” Lee said.
He advocated for a comprehensive, government-wide approach to address the rapidly evolving landscape of cybercrime, suggesting the formation of a committee to conduct scientific analysis, compile relevant white papers, and develop strategies to improve prevention and arrest rates.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
