Seoul police investigate bomb threat targeting Ohtani

South Korean police received a report of a bomb threat directed at Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani ahead of MLB's season-opening games Wednesday and Thursday at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, according to Kim Hyun-soo of Yonhap News.

Authorities have confirmed the threat was false, a source told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Police said an email was sent Wednesday morning from someone threatening to detonate a bomb at the stadium during a game between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Kim reports. Officials added the message specifically mentioned Ohtani as a target.

Authorities deployed 30 commandos and 120 personnel to search the Gocheok Sky Dome, per Kim. Police reportedly found no suspicious items at the facility.

Police tracked down the email's sender about six hours after sending the message, a person briefed on the situation told Acee. Officials traced the threat back to Japan, according to Yoon Min-sik of the Korea Herald.

MLB is proceeding with Wednesday's game on schedule, a league spokesperson told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

"The safety and security of our fans and everyone in the ballparks where we play is always our first priority," MLB said in a statement to Harris. "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 Dodgers and Padres will open the 2024 season with MLB's first-ever games in South Korea on Wednesday and Thursday. The contests also mark Ohtani's highly anticipated debut with the Dodgers, who signed him to a historic free-agent contract this offseason.

First pitch of Wednesday's season opener is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET.