Threatening emails demanding a 13 Bitcoin ransom sent to Hyundai offices have heightened security concerns in South Korea, amid a broader wave of similar incidents targeting major corporations.
On December 19, offices belonging to Hyundai Group and Hyundai Motor Group in Seoul received emails claiming that a bombing would be carried out unless the Bitcoin payment was made. The messages immediately triggered a high level of alert among authorities.
South Korean police deployed special forces and bomb disposal units to conduct thorough searches of the buildings. Officials later confirmed that no explosives or suspicious devices were found, adding that temporary evacuations were carried out to ensure employee safety.
Authorities noted that Hyundai was not the only target, as companies such as Samsung, KT, Kakao, and Naver have reportedly received comparable threats involving Bitcoin ransom demands. Investigators are examining whether the incidents are connected and stated that digital traces and crypto transactions are being analyzed as part of an ongoing, wide-ranging investigation.
