Roh: “Terror Cannot Be Forgiven”

Regarding the brutal murder of Kim Sun-il, an employee of Gana Trade Corporation, President Roh Moo-hyun remarked on June 23 that “terror acts against innocent civilians is an anti-humanity practice that cannot be forgiven for any reason. I strongly censure these acts, and am determined to face this problem head-on with the international society.”

At his address to the public this morning at the Chun Chu Kwan, Chong Wa Dae, President Roh stood by his statement, adding, “Our troop dispatch is not for any adversity against Iraq and Arab countries, but to help rebuild Iraq,” disclosing that there would be no change in the dispatch plan.

After that, Roh said, “Reconfirm the process of this incident thoroughly and prudently,” at a meeting with chief presidential secretaries and aides, expressing his intention to distinguish the problems that occurred in the process of the government’s countermeasures against this incident.

As for suspicions surrounding the abduction time and the U.S.’s prior recognition, “Investigate the facts thoroughly and inform the people about the result,” indicated President Roh, stating “Please be aware that the anti-humanity acts of extremist terrorists are not identical with the normal viewpoint of the Arab and Iraqi people, and take care in order to prevent any sensitive countermeasures.”

In advance of this, the government, at the executive members’ meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) which was urgently held at 2 a.m. on this day, has decided on five items such as the continuation of the troop dispatch plan, strong censure against the anti-humanity terror acts, the swift evacuation of Korean residents in Iraq, the earliest possible return of the remains of Kim, and the establishment of a joint-countermeasure team.

The Ministry of National Defense is considering a measure to increase the number of anti-terror analysts and intelligence agents among the troops, which are to be sent to Iraq.

On the other hand, the National Assembly is going to hold its general meeting with Acting Prime Minister Lee Hun-jae and Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon and raise questions about the circumstances surrounding Kim’s murder.

Jung-Hun Kim Seung-Heon Lee jnghn@donga.com ddr@donga.com