Hyundai Group Hit by Bitcoin Bomb Threat Hoax—Evacuations Ensue

Hyundai Group received a bomb threat demanding 13 Bitcoins, prompting evacuations and police searches. No explosives were found, and the threat was deemed a hoax amid a rise in similar incidents targeting Korean firms.

Hyundai Group in Seoul received a threatening email demanding 13 Bitcoins, warning of explosions at its Jongno District headquarters and other facilities if the demand was not met. The threat, which also targeted the Hyundai Motor Group tower in Yangja-dong, prompted immediate police action, including the dispatch of special forces and building evacuations. No explosives were found, and authorities later deemed the threat a hoax. This incident is part of a recent surge in similar threats against major South Korean companies, including Samsung, KT, Kakao, and Naver, with perpetrators demanding cryptocurrency ransoms. Police have launched investigations, examining digital evidence and surveillance footage to identify the source of the threats. The events have heightened anxiety among employees and local residents, and authorities have emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious activities. Hyundai Group has implemented additional security measures and is cooperating with law enforcement as investigations continue.