Terror Threat From Al-Qaeda Imminent

Al-Qaeda, the international terror organization, included South Korea on its target list for terror attacks. The South Korean government has immediately contacted its embassies and legations abroad to take actions to protect overseas Koreans, boosting its security at airports, ports, government buildings and other key sites.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who heads the National Security Council (NSC) that oversees all security including intelligence, defense and foreign affairs, convened an emergency meeting on October 2 and discussed countermeasures against Al-Qaeda’s terror threat. On October 1, Al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman Al-Zawahri was reported to have called for attacks on South Korea along with the U.S. and the U.K.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki-moon has directed embassies and legations abroad to put security forces on alert and to immediately carry out reinforced actions for the safety of Korean companies, residents and their property. On October 3, the Joint Chiefs of Staff also gave urgent orders for strengthening counter terror-attack measures to all military units including the Zaitoon unit in Iraq. They also gave orders to every military unit to strengthen security of key government and military sites and to share intelligence with government agencies. Counter-terror task force team and Special Warfare Command units including 707 Special Missions Forces are now on alert status.

The Ministry of Justice has imposed a semi-permanent ban on the entry of 4,000 known members of terror groups, including international terror suspects. As a precaution against possible attempts to enter with counterfeit passports, the ministry has reinforced the monitoring process at airports and ports. Anyone with a suspicious passport will be put under close and precise examination. Since the government has viewed it is highly likely that illegal aliens and terror groups are closely connected, the crackdown on illegal aliens will be strengthened as well. South Korean police have boosted security at airports, ports, the U.S. embassy and U.S. military facilities. At the major international airports--Inchon and Gimpo—SWAT and K9 units are deployed and counter-terror gear has been stockpiled.

According to an official of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the U.S., the audiotape in which Al-Zawahri called for attacks on South Korea, the U.S. and the U.K. was confirmed as a real one recorded by the deputy leader himself. In this audiotape aired October 1 by Al Jazeera television, Al-Zawahri said young Muslims should carry on even if Al-Qaeda leaders were killed or arrested, and never betray God and the prophets. Calling for a crusade, Al-Zawahri listed South Korea, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Poland, and Norway as its targets.