Home > National > Social Affairs

Police caution against spreading online hoaxes ahead of April Fools' Day

Published: 31 Mar. 2026, 14:46

A police special operations officer conducts a search with an explosive detection dog at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 21, the day of BTS’s comeback performance. [NEWS1]

Police on Tuesday warned against posting online hoaxes ahead of April Fools’ Day in an effort to limit social unrest caused by the misuse of social media and AI.

The warning comes as prank calls, once common around April 1, have declined sharply in recent years, while false information and threats spread through social media and video platforms have increased.

False reports to the 112 emergency line average about 13 to 14 cases per day, according to the National Police Agency. Police have not seen a notable increase in such reports around April Fools' Day, a representative for the police said.

Police are instead focusing on online activity, where threats pose greater risks as a single message can spread quickly, trigger emergency responses and cause public disruption.

Police recorded 177 cases of online bomb threats last year. Targets included department stores, companies, celebrities’ homes, subway station restrooms, police substations, schools and aircraft.

Last August, a bomb threat targeting a Shinsegae department store prompted the evacuation of about 4,000 people. Police deployed 242 personnel, including a special operations unit.

Police officers investigate Shinsegae Department Store's flagship branch in Jung District, central Seoul, on Aug. 5, 2025, following an online bomb threat. [YONHAP]

Police also warned that “swatting,” or false emergency reporting intended to prompt a large-scale response, could re-emerge. The practice spread last year through the messaging platform Discord.

Some users operated chat rooms run like self-contained online communities centered on prominent users and used stolen identities to repeatedly file false reports to harass others, according to investigators.

Authorities have recently arrested several teenagers linked to such posts, and related activity has subsided. However, police said there is a risk of renewed incidents around April Fools’ Day.

“Producing fake content or posting threat messages constitutes public intimidation against unspecified individuals," a spokesperson for the police said. "We will track down offenders thoroughly and punish them strictly.”

Police said they will also pursue civil claims for damages in cases where false threats waste public resources.

They will continue monitoring the use of generative AI to create and distribute fake images and videos of disasters, accidents and fires, they added.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]