Terrorist attack cannot threaten freedom of speech

The deadly shooting incident at the office of Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine, in Paris, the heart of Europe, is a barbaric terror attack against the press and freedom of speech. On Thursday morning, Islamic extremists who are reportedly known as France nationals intruded into the editorial office of the satirical weekly, located close to the Eiffel Tower, shot dead 12 people and ran away in an instant moment. The terrorist attack that took lives of 10 staff, including editor and principal cartoonist, and two police officers is a serious challenge against the liberal society and cannot be justified for any reasons.

No matter how France is well known as a nation of tolerance, such anti-civilization and anti-humanism terrorist crime cannot be subject to the tolerance. Terrorist groups that exercise violence to threaten the press, which is the foundation for democracy, the international community must condemn and punish under the name of freedom and justice beyond the differences of nationality and religion.

Charlie Hebdo has published satirical cartoons about Islamic prophet Muhammad several times and caused uproar in the Muslim world, but it has also carried similar cartoons about the Catholic. Insulting believers of specific religions, including Islam, must be refrained from, but religions cannot be a sanctuary free from valid criticism by the press. The terrorists shouted, "Allahu Akbar (God is Great in Arabic). We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad" during the attack. Based on the facts that came to light so far, it comes as greater shock since the criminals are highly likely to be home-grown terrorists born in France.

It touches our hearts to see that citizens not only in France but also across the Europe holding "I am Charlie (Je suis Charlie)" placards in support of Charlie Hebdo against the deadly terrorist attack. In the adjacent Republique (Republic in French) square, many people left thousands of pens to show their support for the "freedom of expression." A new chanting slogan, "Not Afraid" came to the scene to encourage citizens not to be afraid of the terror. Satirical cartoonists around the world have issued cartoons to condemn the terrorist attack. The Dong-A Ilbo also gives support to the international community that stands up to protect precious values of freedom of speech against the worst-ever terrorism against the press.

Those who cannot accept reasonable criticism or satire within the liberal democracy values are only obsolete and isolated groups and their supporters. Coincidentally, North Korea is under sanctions from the international community in retaliation for cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment over comedy movie "The Interview," which depicts a fictional plot to assassinate the North’s leader Kim Jong Un. The reason why the communist regime provokes about flyers sent from the South to the North is that the nation is ignorant of freedom of speech and expression, the fundamental value of liberal democracy.

North Korea is repeatedly making threats to explode the Dong-A Ilbo, mentioning the location of our headquarters. We must show a determined attitude when facing threats from groups associated with the North or the extreme-leftist groups in our society. We must always remember that the core value at the center of free democracy is freedom of speech and expression.