(2nd LD) Cheong Wa Dae bomb threat suspect arrives from France

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SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- A 22-year-old South Korean man known to have a history of mental illness arrived in his home country from France on Tuesday to face questioning over allegations that he had threatened to bomb the presidential office, police said.

The man, who is the son of a former aide to South Korea's parliamentary chief, arrived at Incheon International Airport on a Korean Air flight from Paris, they said, adding that he was brought home by his father.

The man, identified only by his surname Kang, is accused of leaving eight messages at the presidential office on Sunday and saying he'd bomb the office unless they showed "willingness," police said. Authorities weren't sure what he meant by the word.

Kang is also believed to have posted on Twitter threats to blow up the homes of President Park Geun-hye and her top aide on Jan. 17.

Police said it appeared "very unlikely" that Kang had actually planned a terrorist attack since no explosive devices were found in the presidential office or the homes of the two high-level officials.

They also said he had left for France last month without notifying his parents and was listed as missing until his parents discovered his whereabouts earlier this month.

Kang received medical treatment for mental illness from April 2013 to November 2014, according to police.

The National Assembly had earlier said Kang had a history of mental illness without going into details. He had opted out of South Korea's mandatory military service due to depression, local media reported.

Kang showed up at the arrival gate in a black hoodie and a hat and refused to answer reporters' questions, authorities said.

Kang's father, Sang-wook, had brought him from France. He apologized for the fuss his son is suspected of causing.

"I'll make sure my son gives honest responses to the authorities," he told reporters.

Kang was immediately arrested and sent to the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency, which was handling the Twitter case.

He faces charges of intimidation and obstruction of justice for diverting police forces.

sojungpark@yna.co.kr
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