|
In a report to the National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service said it had caught 74 foreigners over 19 different investigations over the last five years for engaging in subversive activities in Korea, such as conspiracy to commit terror. Many people believe that Korea is immune to terrorism, but the latest revelation shows that this is not the case.
This year alone, six Arabs were arrested for trafficking in narcotics in Korea in conjunction with the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Taliban raise money to support their military activities through narcotics trafficking. Last year, three people from a South Asian country were caught gathering information about U.S. troops in Korea, while in 2006, one Southeast Asian on an industrial training program here was arrested for inciting jihad through Internet postings. They were expelled. Eight suspects linked to Jemaah Islamiyah, an Indonesia-based militant Islamist organization, were deported in 2004 after conspiring to attack a foreign diplomatic mission in Korea.
Korea is a plausible target of international terrorism. The Korea-U.S. alliance is known around the world, while the Korean military sends troops to major areas of dispute around the world following the request by the U.S. or the UN. A lot of Americans live in Korea, and the country has several key U.S. military installations.
International terrorists can enter our country at will disguised as industrial trainees or tourists. They face no restrictions operating here. Korea could be a good place for these people not only to deal in narcotics, but to launder money by linking up with international foreign currency speculators. As Korea¡¯s economy grows bigger and its role increases in the world, terrorist groups may view our country as an important target.
But an anti-terror bill which has been under discussion since 2001 has yet to be wrapped up. Differences have yet to be resolved between the NIS, the military and the police over who will operate an international anti-terrorism center. The 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu and the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu are just around the corner. We cannot afford to delay our preparations.
So far, the government has not fully elaborated on the activities of international terrorists inside Korea, making the latest announcement rather unexpectedly. Public awareness is essential in preventing terror. The best way to gain public cooperation is for the government to tell us what we need to know.
|
