South Korean authorities closed a 16-km stretch of the Jungbu Inland Expressway on Thursday after a shell-like object was discovered on the shoulder [1].
The incident caused significant traffic disruptions and triggered a military emergency response to ensure public safety before the object could be identified.
Reports were received around 1:50 p.m. regarding the object, which measured 60 cm in length [1]. The discovery occurred on the section of the highway between the Changnyeong and Hyeonpung interchanges [1]. Due to the potential danger of an explosive device, police and local government officials coordinated a full closure of the affected area [1].
Witness Kang Jun described the tension on the road as the military arrived. "An explosive was found, so the military unit was dispatched, and it was decided that a full closure was necessary for a while," Kang said [1].
The highway remained shut for approximately 1.5 hours while specialists conducted a field assessment [1]. A military explosive ordnance disposal team was deployed to the site to examine the 60-cm object [1].
Following the inspection, the team determined that the object posed no threat to the public. "It was confirmed to be a dummy shell with no possibility of explosion," the military explosive ordnance disposal team said [1].
Once the object was cleared and deemed safe, officials reopened the 16-km section to motorists [1]. No injuries or damages were reported during the closure.
“A 16-km stretch of the Jungbu Inland Expressway was shut down Thursday.”
The rapid closure of a major transit artery for an inert training shell underscores the high-alert security protocols maintained by South Korean authorities. Given the region's volatile geopolitical climate, the military prioritizes total containment and verification over traffic flow when unidentified ordnance is reported, treating all shell-like objects as live threats until proven otherwise.
