No Bitcoin, No Building! The Modern Group headquarters received an explosion threat email, and the suspect is demanding 13 BTC.

The modern group headquarters located in Yeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, received an explosion threat email today (19th), stating, “If 13 bitcoins (BTC) are not paid, the building will be destroyed at 11:30 AM.”
(Background: Ransomware group Qilin launched a supply chain attack on the “Korean financial industry”! 28 companies affected, 2TB of sensitive data leaked)
(Additional background: The Taiwanese government holds (confiscates) 210 bitcoins! ETH exceeds 2,000 coins, BNB nearly 300 coins… total amount over NT$1.3 billion)

The modern group headquarters located in Yeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, received an explosion threat email today (19th), stating, “If 13 bitcoins (BTC) are not paid, the building will be destroyed at 11:30 AM.” Some Korean media reported that the threat extended even to Hyundai Motor Group’s Yangjae-dong headquarters, mentioning, “After destroying the modern group building, the bomb will be taken to Yangjae-dong for detonation.”

Event Overview

According to the Korean police, around 11:42 AM, they received a report to 112. The modern group immediately instructed all employees to go home and switch to remote work to ensure safety. Police quickly dispatched special forces and bomb disposal teams to conduct a thorough search of the building, covering both East and West buildings. The search concluded around 1:53 PM, with no explosives or suspicious items found.

Currently, police are investigating the IP address of the sender and related clues. Preliminary assessment considers the threat to be false, but they will continue investigating whether it is related to recent chain cases.

It is worth noting that this incident is not isolated but part of a recent series of false explosion threats targeting major Korean companies. Several similar cases have occurred in recent days:

• December 18: Threats appeared on Kakao customer service message board claiming bombs would be placed at Samsung Electronics Suwon headquarters, Kakao Bupyeong and Jeju headquarters, and Naver locations.
• December 17: KT online application page featured a bomb explosion warning for the headquarters.

However, all searches found no actual explosives, suspected to be pranks or extortion scams. Police suspect it may be the work of the same person or group and are expanding the investigation. Although the actual terror risk is considered low, the series of incidents has caused concern among businesses and the public. Authorities are calling for increased vigilance.

Masked man throws smoke bomb and stabs people at Taipei Station

Additionally, today, Taiwan also experienced a real terror attack: during rush hour, a serious attack occurred near exits M7 and M8 at Taipei Station on the Bannan Line of Taipei Metro. A man wearing a gas mask took multiple smoke grenades from a suitcase and threw them, causing a loud explosion and releasing thick, pungent smoke. The platform and passageways were filled with smoke, leading passersby to mistakenly believe there was a fire or explosion, resulting in panic and chaos.

According to police and witnesses, the suspect not only threw smoke grenades but also reportedly used gasoline bombs and a long knife to attack. After the attack, the suspect quickly fled Taipei Station, moved to Zhongshan Station on the metro to continue the attack, again threw smoke grenades, and outside Zhongshan Station and near Eslite Nanjing West Road store, randomly stabbed multiple pedestrians. Police quickly surrounded the Eslite Nanjing West Road building. During the arrest, the suspect fell from the 5th floor, was seriously injured, and died after being taken to hospital. The incident injured at least 9 people, excluding the suspect, several of whom are in critical or serious condition.

Regarding the above events, the authorities express sympathy and regret for the victims, and also remind the public that whether false threats or real terror attacks, recent days require everyone to remain vigilant to avoid unnecessary harm.