U.S. State Department Warns of Possible Terrorist Attacks at Upcoming ASEAN Summit

On October 21, the U.S. State Department warned of a possible terrorist bombing at the upcoming November ASEAN summit scheduled to be held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

During today’s public announcement, the U.S. State Department said, “The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane has received information that persons associated with anti-Lao government groups may be planning to detonate several explosive devices in Vientiane during the ASEAN summit conference.”

The U.S. State Department also added that Bolikhamxai and Salavan are in danger of a possible terrorist attack and that although it couldn`t obtain any specific information, the attack may happen between November 25 and November 30.

The U.S. State Department thus warned its citizens to “exercise extreme caution in public areas.”

Ten member nations will gather for the ASEAN summit starting November 25 while the actual summit will be held in Vientiane on November 29 and 30.

Jung-Ahn Kim credo@donga.com