Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Rio 2016: Rio police blow up backpack near cycling finish
The bomb squad controls the site near the finishing line of the men’s cycling road race in Rio de Janeiro. /Courtesy of AP-Yonhap
By Park Jae-hyuk
By Park Jae-hyuk
Brazilian police blew up a suspicious backpack left near the finishing line of the men's cycling road race in Rio de Janeiro on the Olympics’ first day.
The sound of explosion terrified many people, amid a tense atmosphere fueled by reported terror threats.
The explosion did not affect events.
Brazil’s public security department spokesperson said the bag was believed to belong to a homeless man and only contained clothes. But police followed protocol, which orders them to destroy unattended items.
There have been several controlled blasts in Rio recently as Olympics organizers tightened security around venues because of concerns the Games might become a terrorist target. A recent string of killings, kidnappings and robberies heightened worries.
Police shot dead a man, 22, near the opening ceremony venue on Friday night after he robbed several people. A Brazilian woman, 51, was also shot dead during a robbery on Friday at Marvelous Port, a main attraction for Olympic tourists.
On Wednesday, an armed man briefly kidnapped three Swedish tourists who were taking photos near a slum. They were released unharmed after the kidnapper checked the photos.