There was a moment of anxiety in the buildup to the start of MLB’s season abroad.
According to multiple reports, Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea — where the Dodgers will play the Padres on Thursday at 6 a.m. Eastern — was the target of a bomb threat that specifically named superstar Shohei Ohtani.
An email that police received in Seoul, according to the San Diego Tribune, threatened to detonate a bomb at the stadium during the game.
Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Times reported that the threat — which was written in English — was not credible and written by someone who has done similar acts in the past.
Yonhap News Agency in Korea reported that local police were attempting to track down the person who sent the bomb threat and that 30 commandos and 120 personnel were being sent to search Gocheok Sky Dome, though “no dangerous or suspicious situation has been found yet.”
MLB released a statement, according to multiple outlets, saying it was working to ensure the safety of all involved ahead of the highly anticipated opener.
“The safety and security of our fans and everyone in the ballparks where we play are always our first priority,” the statement read. “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 game, which kicks off the 2024 season, has plenty of intrigue as Ohtani is set to make his Dodgers debut after signing a historic 10-year, $700 million contract this offseason.
Newly acquired Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow is set to go against Padres ace Yu Darvish in the NL West clash that is the first-ever regular season game taking place in South Korea.
Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to make his Dodgers debut in the second game in Seoul.