제 27 호 False Terror Reports: Social Impact and Lessons Ahead
Kicker: SOCIETY
False Terror Reports: Social Impact and Lessons Ahead
By Sol-Mi Lim, Cup-Reporter
Therecent false report of a bomb threat at the Shinsegae Department Store in Myeong-dong is more than just a disruptive incident. Nearly 4,000 people were forced to evacuate, police special forces were mobilized, and an entire community was thrown into fear, only to learn that the threat was fabricated. No explosive was ever found, yet the damage was already done. Such cases highlight a troubling reality in today’s society where false terror alerts are becoming more frequent and more reckless. They do not simply waste police resources or cause inconvenience. They erode the trust that binds people together and exploit the collective fear that surfaces when safety is at risk. The anonymity of the internet has made it easier for individuals to spread panic without facing immediate consequences, and the desire to attract attention has sometimes grown stronger than the awareness of social responsibility. This article argues that the real danger lies not in the age or identity of the offender but in the act itself and the mindset that allows such behavior to emerge.
Graphs of the police were dispatched from the National Police Agency
The Rising Pattern of False Reports
While one fabricated threat can already cause significant disruption, the more pressing concern is the frequency with which these incidents are being repeated. Police data show that false emergency calls, including bomb threats, have been steadily rising each year. This escalation suggests what might once have been dismissed as isolated mischief is evolving into a systemic challenge. Each false report forces authorities to deploy personnel, divert financial resources, and interrupt critical services. Hospitals prepare for casualties that never arrive, transport hubs are shut down, and businesses suffer sudden losses, but the cost is not only monetary. The credibility of public alerts gradually erodes when citizens are repeatedly confronted with alarms that turn out to be baseless. The real danger is that this erosion of trust can lead to complacency in the face of actual threats, leaving society more vulnerable in times of crisis.
Beyond Lies: A Reflection of Social Pathology
The deeper issue is that false terror alerts cannot be dismissed as simple lies. They embody something more troubling, an expression of hostility and a willingness to inflict fear on others. In this sense they can be interpreted as a form of social pathology, where personal frustrations and destructive impulses are projected onto the wider community. The anonymity of the internet and the viral spread of sensational claims provide fertile ground for such acts, encouraging individuals to exploit public anxiety with minimal risk of being identified. What drives these behaviors is not only immaturity or boredom but also a deeper desire to threaten, to disrupt, and to assert power over others. This explains why false terror reports are often accompanied by violent language or exaggerated threats designed to maximize panic. Ultimately the phenomenon highlights a disturbing erosion of empathy and social responsibility. Addressing the problem therefore requires more than legal penalties. It calls for cultural and educational efforts that rebuild trust, reinforce accountability, and discourage the normalization of fear as a tool for self-expression.
Growing Problem Amidst Weak Legal Deterrents and Lack of Compensation
Despite the widespread social impact of fake crime threats, a proper compensation system is virtually nonexistent. Over the last three years, there has been only one case of a fake threat perpetrator being ordered to pay damages—a 2023 case where an individual who threatened a knife attack at a professional volleyball team's dormitory was fined 12 million won. Moreover, police and firefighters reportedly do not receive proper compensation for responding to these false alarms. In a recent case involving a bomb threat phone call to Shinsegae Group, the company was unable to seek damages from the hoax caller until the police investigation was completed. In March of this year, the new crime of "public intimidation" was established, punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, critics argue that this new law lacks a strong deterrent effect, as evidenced by the first court ruling last month, which resulted in a mere 6 million won fine. The relatively light sentence of 6 million won was attributed to mitigating factors, including the defendant’s lack of prior convictions, expression of remorse, and the fact that the threat posed limited actual danger.
False terror alerts also reveal something deeper than reckless behavior. They represent an unsettling social pathology that reflects hostility, aggression, and a willingness to manipulate collective fear. Unlike harmless pranks, these acts are often framed in violent language that mirrors darker impulses within society. The anonymity of digital platforms allows individuals to project these impulses without accountability, transforming personal frustration into public panic. This phenomenon suggests that the issue cannot be solved solely through law enforcement or harsher penalties. Preventing false reports requires addressing the cultural environment that enables them to flourish. Education about digital responsibility, stronger community awareness, and the promotion of empathy are as essential as legal measures. Unless society begins to confront the underlying motivations—attention seeking, resentment, and a distorted sense of power—false terror reports will continue to surface, each time chipping away at the fragile balance of safety and trust.
Source:
https://www.police.go.kr/user/bbs/BD_selectBbsList.do?q_bbsCode=1115&estnColumn2=%EB%85%84%EB%8F%84
