Seoul's Yongsan-gu, home to many embassies from Arab states, Seoul's Islamic mosque, and numerous businesses serving the Islamic community, is feeling the effects of the terrorist attack on the United States.

Police, armed with rifles stand in front of and inspect persons entering the Central Islamic Masjid. Around forty Arabs in Islamic dress stand in groups, where the discussion is serious. "I'm worried about my family in America," says Shariq Saed of Pakistan, "But terrorism that killed innocent citizens, must be made to pay a price." Hasan Mia of Bangladesh disagrees. "You cannot trust the information from the US 100%, so we should wait until there is clear evidence."

Shin Yang-seop of the Korean Central Islamic Association says "I am worried the actions of an extremist violent elements will lead to blaming all believers in Islam." Islamic restaurants in the Itaewon area have seen less customers in recent days.

Police positioned in front of the mosque average six to seven at a time. They are inspecting identification papers and inspecting vehicles for explosive devices. Security has also been strengthened at the embassies of Libya, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Qatar, and Kuwait. The embassy of Israel is located in the same neighborhood, and particularly special measures are being implemented there, as well. In the words of one police official, the Israeli embassy is, "along with the US embassy, the place most in need of anti-terrorist activity."

(Choe Jae-hyeok, jhchoi@chosun.com )