Counter-terrorist police search for bombs possibly hidden near the building where an explosion occurred at Yonsei University in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Jung Min-ho

A professor suffered burns and lacerations after a homemade bomb exploded outside his office at Yonsei University in Seoul, police said Tuesday.

Following analysis of surveillance cameras police apprehended a 25-year-old suspect ― one of the professor's students ― who told them that he was infuriated after the professor had refused to give him the credits he needed to graduate.





Police and the military deployed anti-terrirism forces to the school./ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Police and the military deployed anti-terrorism forces to the school in case there were more hidden bombs on campus.

The 47-year-old professor, surnamed Kim, was taken to hospital with injuries to his neck, chest and hands. Police said they were not life-threatening.

The explosion occurred in the school's engineering faculty building at around 8:40 a.m. after Kim opened a box he found in a paper bag hanging on the door to his office.

According to police, "something went off and small bolts shot out" of the box as soon as he opened it.

Police initially suspected someone had specifically targeted Kim rather than a random innocent victim. But the professor couldn't think of anyone who had a grudge against him and would try to kill him.

Police said the bomb was "clumsily made" but could have killed the professor, if it had worked as the bomber intended. It was a "nail bomb," which refers to an explosive device packed with sharp objects to act as shrapnel.

But luckily, the explosion was not strong enough to seriously harm people.

Nail bombs are often used by terrorists. They are relatively easy to make, and are often deadly. One was used by a terrorist to kill innocent people at Manchester Arena during singer Ariana Grande's concert last month.

According to police, the bomb they found was made of a tumbler, dozens of bolts and four batteries. Military bomb experts are now looking into the explosive used.

Following the explosion, a team of 70 counter-terrorism police officers were sent in. The building where the incident occurred was cordoned off as police officers searched for more bombs possibly hidden nearby.

The incident has raised safety concerns among professors and students at the school. Yonsei has not released an official statement, but its student union post a message on Facebook, urging students to stay calm and not to spread rumors.