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The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Series of bomb scares in South Korea raises security concerns
SEOUL: Following a spate of bomb threats across South Korea, most of which turned out to be hoaxes, police say they are confronting the challenge of treating every report as a potential real danger while facing heightened public anxiety. Between July 4 and Aug 11, eight bomb threats were reported to authorities, seven of which were made over the course of one week. All were determined to be false after police inspections. On Aug 11, police officials in Gwangju received a bomb threat claiming that an explosive device had been planted at Lotte Department Store in Seo-gu, despite no such store being located in that district. Special operations units were deployed to search department stores nearby, such as the Lotte Department Store in Dong-gu and the Shinsegae Department Store in Seo-gu. According to authorities, no explosives were found after further searches. On Aug 10, a concert held by The Boyz was delayed for two hours after an anonymous bomb threat against the venue was sent by fax. The concert was cleared to go ahead at around 4pm after the police concluded that the threat was a hoax. According to the police on Aug 11, the bomb threat sent to the concert venue was traced to the same fax number used in an earlier warning of a sulfuric acid attack against students on Aug 7. Both threats were sent under the name 'Takahiro Karasawa', a Japanese lawyer. Since August 2023, a total of 44 faxes and emails, including threats made by those claiming to be Karasawa and other Japanese lawyers, have been recorded by authorities. All related cases have been referred to the police cybercrime unit, which is working with Interpol and Japanese authorities to identify the sender. Five other bomb threats were also made last week, targeting department stores, a public swimming pool and a gaming company's headquarters. According to the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), special forces responded to a total of 943 reports of terrorism-related threats, such as bomb threats, from 2023 to the first half of 2025. This is more than double the total number of incidents recorded from 2015 to 2021, at 395 cases. Police say the surge in bomb hoaxes is putting an unsustainable burden on special operations forces. Each report requires the deployment of units specifically trained for high-risk scenarios, including bomb disposal squads, K9 units and tactical forces, tying up resources for hours at a time. 'Even if the reports are suspected to be a hoax, the police cannot afford to take chances,' a KNPA official told The Korea Herald. 'However, every false alarm drains manpower and equipment that could be used to respond to genuine emergencies.' Such repeated, large-scale responses can also increase public anxiety. 'Even if people know that many such threats are fake, the sheer frequency can create a sense among the public that something must be wrong in society. Or it can create something quite the opposite, where the public grows less cautious of terrorism threats and doesn't respond with the appropriate attentiveness,' Professor Kwak Dae-kyung from Dongguk University's Department of Police Administration told The Korea Herald. 'Both scenarios pose a general threat to civil security in Korea.' Experts warn that weak penalties for making false threats may embolden offenders. According to the public intimidation law, which was only passed in February, offenders can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won (S$18,500). However, according to the KNPA's data, only 1 in 10 suspects have been arrested in relation to that law. Of those arrested, 77 per cent have been referred to prosecutors, while the other cases have not moved forward. 'Considering the manpower and resources these cases actually consume, the current punishment is far too lenient to deter future offenders,' Prof Kwak added. 'The law needs to reflect the seriousness of the disruptions caused. Stronger legal measures, such as raising the maximum sentence and introducing mandatory restitution to cover the cost of emergency responses, may also be needed to deter these hoaxes.' - The Korea Herald/ANN
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Series of bomb scares in South Korea raises security concerns
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Police say the surge in bomb hoaxes is putting an unsustainable burden on special operations forces. SEOUL - Following a spate of bomb threats across South Korea, most of which turned out to be hoaxes, police say they are confronting the challenge of treating every report as a potential real danger while facing heightened public anxiety. Between July 4 and Aug 11, eight bomb threats were reported to authorities, seven of which were made over the course of one week. All were determined to be false after police inspections. On Aug 11 , police officials in Gwangju received a bomb threat claiming that an explosive device had been planted at Lotte Department Store in Seo-gu, despite no such store being located in that district. Special operations units were deployed to search department stores nearby, such as the Lotte Department Store in Dong-gu and the Shinsegae Department Store in Seo-gu. According to authorities, no explosives were found after further searches. On Aug 10 , a concert held by The Boyz was delayed for two hours after an anonymous bomb threat against the venue was sent by fax. The concert was cleared to go ahead at around 4pm after the police concluded that the threat was a hoax. According to the police on Aug 11 , the bomb threat sent to the concert venue was traced to the same fax number used in an earlier warning of a sulfuric acid attack against students on Aug 7. Both threats were sent under the name 'Takahiro Karasawa', a Japanese lawyer. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore raises 2025 economic growth forecast but warns of uncertainty from US tariffs Business StarHub buys rest of MyRepublic's broadband business in $105m deal; comes after Simba buys M1 Singapore Telco price undercutting expected to subside after sale of M1 to Simba: Analysts World After tariff truce extended, a Trump-Xi summit in China? Opinion For Singapore, the AI revolution is coming just in time Asia Death of student in Sabah raises hurdle for Malaysian PM Anwar as he faces tough state polls soon Opinion Sumiko at 61: Hearing loss is linked to dementia risk. Here's what you risk by ignoring it Business S'pore start-up among 5 global picks for Japan construction group Kajima's mentorship and funding Since August 2023, a total of 44 faxes and emails, including threats made by those claiming to be Karasawa and other Japanese lawyers, have been recorded by authorities. All related cases have been referred to the police cybercrime unit, which is working with Interpol and Japanese authorities to identify the sender. Five other bomb threats were also made last week, targeting department stores, a public swimming pool and a gaming company's headquarters. According to the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), special forces responded to a total of 943 reports of terrorism-related threats, such as bomb threats, from 2023 to the first half of 2025. This is more than double the total number of incidents recorded from 2015 to 2021, at 395 cases. Police say the surge in bomb hoaxes is putting an unsustainable burden on special operations forces. Each report requires the deployment of units specifically trained for high-risk scenarios, including bomb disposal squads, K9 units and tactical forces, tying up resources for hours at a time. 'Even if the reports are suspected to be a hoax, the police cannot afford to take chances,' a KNPA official told The Korea Herald. 'However, every false alarm drains manpower and equipment that could be used to respond to genuine emergencies.' Such repeated, large-scale responses can also increase public anxiety. 'Even if people know that many such threats are fake, the sheer frequency can create a sense among the public that something must be wrong in society. Or it can create something quite the opposite, where the public grows less cautious of terrorism threats and doesn't respond with the appropriate attentiveness,' Professor Kwak Dae-kyung from Dongguk University's Department of Police Administration told The Korea Herald. 'Both scenarios pose a general threat to civil security in Korea.' Experts warn that weak penalties for making false threats may embolden offenders. According to the public intimidation law, which was only passed in February, offenders can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won (S$18,500). However, according to the KNPA's data, only 1 in 10 suspects have been arrested in relation to that law. Of those arrested, 77 per cent have been referred to prosecutors, while the other cases have not moved forward. 'Considering the manpower and resources these cases actually consume, the current punishment is far too lenient to deter future offenders,' Prof Kwak added. 'The law needs to reflect the seriousness of the disruptions caused. Stronger legal measures, such as raising the maximum sentence and introducing mandatory restitution to cover the cost of emergency responses, may also be needed to deter these hoaxes.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Lotte to host World Department Store Summit in Seoul next month
Korean department store chain Lotte Department Store announced Tuesday that it would host the 16th World Department Store Summit from June 11 to 12 at Lotte Hotel Seoul. Co-hosted by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores, the world's largest association of department stores, the summit gathers top executives from over 20 global retailers across 10 countries to share insights under the theme, 'How to Best Captivate Customers.' Lotte Department Store CEO Jung Joon-ho will deliver the keynote and speak on the evolution of Korean department stores. Other prominent speakers include Selfridges CEO Andre Maeder (UK), Nordstrom President Fanya Chandler (US), Central & Robinson Department Store CEO Natira Boonsri (Thailand) and Shibuya Parco General Manager Yugo Hiramatsu (Japan). Eight sessions will cover key topics such as retail innovation, shifting consumer trends and premium service strategies. On the last day of the summit, participants will tour Lotte Department Store's main branch in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, to explore the success factors behind the brand and its vision for the future. 'This event reflects global recognition of Korea's retail leadership,' said Jung. 'We're committed to making it a forward-looking, impactful summit.'
Korea Herald
09-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Luxury beauty wins over fashion as consumers adjust spending amid downturn
As consumers increasingly seek affordable indulgences, luxury cosmetics are proving to be a lasting trend Luxury cosmetics have become increasingly popular, with their sales growth rate surpassing high-end fashion items such as handbags and clothing as the prolonged economic downturn continues to affect consumer spending. According to sales figures from major department stores, luxury cosmetics, including products from brands like Prada, Hermes and Givenchy, saw sales grow significantly. Last year, the cosmetics departments at Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai department stores recorded sales increases ranging from 16 percent to 24 percent, with luxury fashion sales growing by only 5 percent to 11 percent. At Lotte Department Store, the luxury cosmetics sector grew by approximately 20 percent, while Shinsegae Department Store reported a 16.3 percent increase and Hyundai Department Store saw a 24 percent rise. In comparison, their fashion departments saw only modest growth of around 5 to 12 percent, a sharp contrast to the 30 percent surge recorded in 2022. This shift in consumer behavior reflects a trend toward more affordable indulgences. Instead of purchasing expensive handbags and clothing, many consumers are opting for smaller luxuries like lipstick and eyeshadow. "This trend toward 'small luxury' is continuing as the recession deepens. Luxury beauty brands are becoming a go-to choice for many customers seeking a little treat during these tough times,' said Min Da-hae, a purchasing manager in the beauty department at Lotte Department Store. Luxury brands are responding to the changing market by expanding into cosmetics. Louis Vuitton, the French luxury brand, announced it will debut a new beauty line this fall, marking the brand's first venture into the cosmetics sector since its founding in 1854. While details about the lineup and whether Louis Vuitton will open standalone stores in South Korea are still under wraps, the move reflects a broader trend in the luxury industry. Despite a slight dip in global sales for the LVMH group, which owns Louis Vuitton, Dior and Fendi, the cosmetics segment saw a 2 percent increase in revenue in 2024 from a year earlier. Meanwhile, sales in fashion and leather goods fell by 3 percent during the same period. Prada, another high-end brand, also launched a cosmetics line in 2023 and has since expanded its presence in South Korea, opening a standalone store in Seoul's Seongsu-dong in January. Industry experts suggest that luxury brands are turning to cosmetics as a stable source of income amid fluctuating demand for high-end fashion. "Although the core customer base for luxury goods remains steady, the fashion segment has been more affected by the economic downturn. Expanding into cosmetics allows these brands to secure a more reliable revenue stream,' said a luxury brand representative.
Korea Herald
06-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Can Seoul Fashion Week be improved?
Seoul Fashion Week criticized for lack of international appeal and innovation, but optimism remains for K-fashion's future "Can we really say that Seoul is the fashion hub of Asia when Seoul Fashion Week continues to be as it is?" asked Jung Joon-ho, CEO of Lotte Department Store, during his keynote speech at the Seoul Fashion Forum, held Wednesday as part of the 2025 fall-winter Seoul Fashion Week event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. Jung pointed out that if the event continues to struggle with attracting notable designer brands and a significant number of buyers, it will be impossible for Seoul to claim its place as the center of fashion in Asia. Only 16 brands were scheduled to hold shows at Seoul Fashion Week this season, down from 21 brands the previous two seasons. 'We have lucrative designer brands such as Gentle Monster, Mardi Mercredi, Matin Kim and Anderson Bell, but for them, success means taking their shows to Paris Fashion Week,' he said. 'Seoul Fashion Week needs to become an event where people from all over the world can see the brands they want to see when they come here. Looking at the list of participating brands this season, I found no clear message they want to convey. It needs to provide an environment where foreign buyers interested in Korean products can discover attractive offerings.' Jung added that he had heard from foreign industry insiders who find Seoul Fashion Week "boring" because it only features Korean brands. 'There are foreign brands that wish to expand their reach in Korea. Even luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton held an iconic show here two years ago. But these events should not be isolated. They should be integrated into Seoul Fashion Week.' Having worked in the fashion industry for more than 30 years, Jung also criticized the lack of live entertainment at the event, something Paris Fashion Week is known for. 'Seoul Fashion Week lacks a dynamic environment where industry insiders can gather and mingle,' he said. Despite his concerns, Jung remains optimistic about the future of K-fashion, particularly with the creative potential of Generation Z and Generation Alpha. 'Now, when the world is focusing on Korea thanks to its success in K-drama, K-pop and K-food, is the time to nurture star brands and designers that can make Seoul the 'Paris of Asia.'' Antonio De Matteis, CEO of Kiton Group, known for its Italian menswear, echoed Jung's thoughts on nurturing the next generation of talent. "We need to continue tailoring our best products. Our philosophy is to bring the new generation into our company," he said. De Matteis also emphasized the importance of quality in attracting customers. "They want quality. They want uniqueness and simplicity. You also need to listen to customers and evolve based on their feedback." He noted that Korea is both an advanced market and one with exponential growth potential. "We ask our designers to come to Seoul because it's a market, especially for the younger generation, that gives you new ideas and a fresh perspective," he said.
