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[Editorial] Comprehensive Measures Are Required for Al Qaeda Threat

[Editorial] Comprehensive Measures Are Required for Al Qaeda Threat

Posted October. 03, 2004 22:19,   

한국어

With South Korea now a target of Al Qaeda’s next terror attacks, the government is busy devising countermeasures to prevent possible attacks. The military, government ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Justice, and the police have all notched up their alert level. The United States Forces Korea also moved to impose a strict curfew for troops, who were required to return to camps no later than 9 p.m. on September 24.

The nation’s trepidation over terror attacks, however, is nothing new. What is significant is that an individual identified by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as Number Two in Al Qaeda has directly pointed out South Korea as a target.

This is not the kind of threat that we have experienced before. What’s more, considering South Korea is the country that disposes the third largest troops in Iraq following the U.S. and the U.K., Al Qaeda’s terror warning against South Korea cannot be taken lightly.

While the National Security Council convened a Saturday meeting to work out special measures, it does not do enough to make us feel entirely safe. In order to preempt any terror attempt, the government should keep checking security conditions and civil servants must exercise great caution at their workplace. It is not an easy task to cull out terrorists in crowded places like international airports and public facilities. In addition, foreign embassies should coordinate their roles in protecting Koreans, either residing or traveling in foreign countries. Only when the government’s well-designed measures combines with diligence on the part of civil servants can we reduce the risk of terror attacks.

Furthermore, for the safety of Korea’s Zaitoon troops stationed in Iraq, the government should consolidate an information network with our allies, including the U.S. provisional government in Iraq.

Meanwhile, civilians from all walks of life have an important role to play as well. Despite the government’s warning, following Kim Sun-il’s death in June, NGO organizations pushed ahead with departures to Iraq and Christian groups left for the Middle East region to participate in religious events. Efforts by the government to provide cautionary measures for its people are only as effective as the people’s response.