After tragedy in Yemen, S. Korea considers setting up anti-terrorism panel

SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is moving to set up an anti-terrorism
panel, parliamentary sources here said Wednesday, following several attacks on
Korean nationals in Yemen.
The panel would be charged with maintaining open communication lines with foreign
governments and Seoul's diplomatic missions abroad, along with devising ways to
reduce risks to travelers.
"Such a group would also make it easier to respond quickly to overseas
developments involving Koreans," said Hwang Jin-ha, a representative for the
ruling Grand National Party (GNP) who is in charge of policymaking.
The lawmaker stressed that the recent death of a South Korean woman in Yemen
raised the need to deal with terrorism in a more fundamental way.
Eom Young-sun, a 34-year-old teacher for international medical assistance group
World Wide Services, went missing last Friday when she went on a picnic in the
northern Yemeni province of Sada with eight other foreigners, including three
children.
Her body was found along with those of two other women on Monday. Yemeni
authorities have said local terrorists were behind the kidnapping and murders,
though no group has yet claimed responsibility.
Eom's death follows two bombing attacks in Yemen earlier this year in which a
number of Korean nationals were either killed or wounded.
Besides the parliamentary panel, the GNP said there are plans underway to create
an anti-terrorism task force made up of civilian experts. The group would be
charged with formulating ways to enhance the country's ability to prevent such
acts of violence.
This may include coordinating efforts to combat terrorism with other governments
and better publicizing travel warnings.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)