Prohibition of Entry against 2,000 Terrorists

National Intelligence Service chief Shin Gun said on the 23rd, "We acquired a list of about 2,000 international terrorists, and banned their entry to the country. International agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), will be cooperating with us during the World Cup."

Shin presented the reports to President Kim Dae-Jung, who visited the World Cup Security and Control Headquarters at Seoul Finance Center in Moogyo-dong, Seoul.

The security headquarters head Kwon Jin-Ho said, "There is a possibility that the surviving forces of Al-Qaeda will attack the World Cup tournaments to maximize the effect, and the U.S.-related facilities may be potential targets." He added that "The military will be on full alert during the event, and the U.S. team will be escorted with armed vehicles."

National Police Agency director Lee Pal-Ho reported that "Security personnel are placed at 3,479 major anti-terrorism facilities as well as foreign legations, airports, and harbors." Joint Chiefs of Staff deputy chief Park Sung-Kuk reported that "The vicinity around the stadiums will be out of bound for flights during the World Cup, and air defense weapons will be stationed on the ground."

ysmo@donga.com