Police beef up security to counter terrorism

SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's police chief said Thursday that police
have beefed up security around the country to cope with possible terrorist
threats at home, following the government's announcement of a plan to deploy
troops to Afghanistan.

"Security is essential to secure a national identity but it has been neglected
for the past 10 years," said Kang Hee-rak, commissioner general of the National
Police Agency, at a parliamentary hearing.
"Police have been monitoring 75 foreign nationals from 10 countries," Kang said,
responding to calls that authorities go on high alert for possible terrorist
attacks as Seoul revealed its plan to send up to 350 troops to the war-torn
country.
There were over 1 million foreigners in South Korea as of May this year,
according to the Ministry of Public Administration.
Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan issued a statement warning of "bad
consequences" should South Korea proceed with its deployment plan on Wednesday.
"Police will also send a special counter-terrorism team along with the military
forces. We will guard the South Korean embassy in Afghanistan and South Korean
people there," Kang said.
brk@yna.co.kr
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