Shohei Ohtani Was Target of Reported Bomb Threat Hoax in South Korea, Police Say

A bomb threat in South Korea that threatened Shohei Ohtani and MLB’s season-opening game Wednesday between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at the Gocheok Sky Dome turned out to be a hoax.

The threat, which emerged via email, warned of plans to detonate a bomb around the game and injure superstar Shohei Ohtani and others.

Police in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, identified the perpetrator as an individual with a history of false claims, per The Los Angeles Times.

“The safety and security of our fans and everyone in the ballparks where we play are always our first priority,” MLB said in a statement. “MLB Security works closely with local officials to ensure a safe environment for all those who attend our games. 

“MLB, along with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and other local officials, will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any appropriate steps throughout the event.”

The Dodgers–Padres game, scheduled to begin 6 a.m. ET Wednesday morning, will be played as planned. The two teams will play two games Wednesday and Thursday before returning for the end of spring training.