‘Murder Prediction Map’ Appears... 50,000 Visitors in One Day

Following a series of 'random stabbing rampages,' a flood of online posts threatening similar crimes, including 'murder warnings,' has emerged. Amid this, a website providing information about the locations and related details of the predicted crimes has attracted attention. According to industry sources on the 7th, the web service company 'Gongil Lab' (01ab) launched the service 'TerrorLess,' a site where users can view posts warning of stabbings and other terror threats, along with related news reports, all at a glance on a map.

A website screen displaying a map with stabbing incident alerts and related information
Photo by Terrorace

Currently, the site lists 45 terror threat cases. Areas where terror acts are predicted, such as Seoul, Incheon, and Suwon, are marked with pin-shaped icons on the map. Clicking on these pins provides information such as whether suspects have been apprehended and the authenticity of the murder warnings. Users can check terror warning locations near their own position and also report terror-related posts found on social media and online communities. The operators began development on the 5th after the stabbing terror issue persisted and launched the service on the 6th. As of the 7th, just one day later, about 50,000 people had accessed the site.

The site was developed by 'Gongil Lab' (01ab), a team of four university students born in 2001. They stated on the website, "We felt a crisis as South Korean society, which took pride in 'safe public security,' is collapsing," and added, "We want to provide our citizens with information about murder warnings irresponsibly posted online to alleviate their anxiety even a little." They further said, "The goal of 01ab is for the TerrorLess service to end," expressing a sincere hope that South Korea will soon return to being a safe society.

Meanwhile, according to the police, as of 7 a.m. on the 7th, 187 murder warning posts have been identified online. Among them, 59 individuals have been apprehended, with more than half?34?being teenagers. Even though many posts were made as pranks without intent to carry out the threats, public anxiety remains difficult to ease. False reports are also increasing.

On the 6th, at Seoul Subway Sinnonhyeon Station, reports of 'biochemical terror' and 'weapon rampage' caused passengers to evacuate in a commotion. During this, many passengers were entangled and suffered abrasions and bruises, but it was concluded to be a false alarm. On the 5th, reports of a man carrying a weapon came from Sacheon and Jinju cities in Gyeongnam Province, but these too were false alarms. Additionally, in Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province, a middle school student exercising was injured during police suppression following a false report of a weapon rampage.

Experts point out that as the fear that 'anyone can become a victim' spreads throughout society, citizens’ terror has reached its limit. Consequently, the phenomenon of 'infodemic,' where distorted information spreads like an epidemic online, is also becoming a serious issue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.