Fake explosive found at Gimpo airport

Police are investigating who left the fake explosive device at Gimpo International Airport. / Korea Times file

By Kim Rahn

Police are searching for a person who left a fake explosive at Gimpo International Airport.

According to officials from Gangseo Police Station in Seoul and the Korea Airports Corp., Sunday, a janitor found a black bag containing the device at around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The bag was behind a toilet bowl in a restroom in the arrival area on the first floor of the international terminal.

The fake explosive consisted of dozens of alkaline batteries wrapped with thin electric wires. Dozens of CDs were on the device.

Eight police officers, including some from the explosive ordnance disposal team, took the bag from the restroom. Confirming suspicious material through an X-ray examination, they took the bag out of the terminal to dispose of it.

They found it was a fake bomb without a detonator, but looking very similar to a real bomb, according to a police officer.

“It was almost the same as a real bomb with batteries and wires, only without a detonator,” said the officer from Gangseo Police. “We suspect it was made by someone who is well aware of explosives.

“There was no threatening call about detonating the explosive. We are examining surveillance camera footage in and outside of the airport to find out who left the bag there and why.”