Unidentified caller threatens to blow up airports in S. Korea

SEOUL/BUSAN -- Police said Friday they have heightened security as Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul received an international phone call threatening to blow up all airports in South Korea.

A pre-recorded voice of a Korean woman was heard in the call made to the airport at around 7:40 a.m., saying explosives had been set up in every airport in the country, police said.

“All of you will die,” the voice said, according to police.

“The explosives will not only shoot us but also you.” 

The airport police and rapid task forces conducted searches in all 15 airports and nearby areas but nothing significant has been reported.

A bomb squad patrols the departure floor of Incheon International Airport on Friday after a threat was called into Gimpo Airport indicating explosives were installed in all airports. (Yonhap)

Still, as the call was prepared elaborately, the police and the country‘s spy agency concluded that it is hard to regard it as a simple prank call and set up a task force team at one of Seoul’s police stations.

According to police, the call is believed to have been made from Laos, but they are still investigating the exact location.

They are also looking into whether any other sounds can be detected in the call.

“(We are) sure that the call was from abroad,” an official said. “Once the exact location is confirmed, (we) are planning to demand cooperation from Interpol.”

Airports have strengthened inspection and immigration control but airline services are operating normally as there is no concrete threat of explosion, authorities said. (Yonhap)