The image of Via Shinsegae displayed on the digital billboard on the exterior of Shinsegae Department Store downtown. /Courtesy of Shinsegae Department Store

On the afternoon of the 5th, a post was uploaded online stating that explosives had been placed at the Shinsegae Department Store in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, prompting visitors to evacuate the building.

According to the police, around 12:36 p.m. that day, a post in an online community read, "Do not go to the main branch of the Shinsegae Department Store; I really installed explosives on the first floor yesterday," and, "It will be detonated at 3 p.m. today."

Around 2 PM on the 5th, customers at Shinsegae Department Store in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul are evacuating outside the building under police guidance. /Courtesy of a reader

After confirming the post, the police evacuated all visitors and employees inside the department store around 2 p.m. The police and fire authorities are verifying whether actual explosives have been placed.

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