Hyundai Seoul Offices Evacuated After $1 Million Bitcoin Bomb Threat

South Korea’s Hyundai Group faced a serious security incident on December 19 when an anonymous email demanded thirteen Bitcoin in ransom to prevent an alleged explosion at its Jongno-gu headquarters in Seoul. The threat specified a detonation time of 11:30 a.m. and warned of a second device at the Hyundai Motor Group tower in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu. At the time, Bitcoin traded around $87,000, making the demanded amount worth over $1 million.

Hyundai immediately evacuated employees from both locations as a precaution. Police deployed special forces and bomb disposal units to search the buildings thoroughly. After extensive inspections, authorities found no explosives or suspicious items, confirming the threat as a hoax with low credibility.

Wave of Corporate Threats Raises Security Concerns

This incident forms part of a broader series of bomb threats targeting South Korea’s major corporations in mid-December. On December 17, a message posted through KT’s online application system claimed explosives had been placed at the company’s Bundang office in Seongnam, prompting a building clearance and search that yielded nothing. The following day, December 18, similar posts appeared on Kakao’s customer service bulletin board, alleging devices at Kakao’s Pangyo offices, Samsung Electronics’ Suwon headquarters, and Naver facilities, often accompanied by demands for large cash payments.

In several cases, companies shifted to remote work or heightened patrols while police conducted checks. No actual explosives have been discovered in any of these incidents, leading investigators to view them as extortion attempts designed to create panic rather than carry out harm. Authorities are analyzing IP addresses, user data, and message patterns to determine if the threats are connected or involve copycat actors exploiting public fear.

"If you don’t give me 13 Bitcoin, I’ll blow it up at 11:30 AM" ...

The use of Bitcoin in the Hyundai case highlights how cryptocurrency’s pseudonymous nature appeals to extortionists seeking untraceable payments. While no ransom was paid in this instance according to local reports, the threats have disrupted operations at some of South Korea’s largest conglomerates, known as chaebols. These companies, including Hyundai, Samsung, Kakao, Naver, and KT, play central roles in the national economy, and repeated false alarms strain resources and heighten vigilance.

Police have emphasized treating every report seriously despite the pattern of hoaxes. The wave underscores the challenges of balancing digital accessibility with physical security in South Korea’s tech-heavy corporate landscape. As investigations continue, officials are coordinating across agencies to trace origins and prevent further disruptions.