NIS Warns of Terrorism by Extremist Groups During Year-End and New Year... Korea Is Not a 'Terrorism-Free Country' Either

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The National Intelligence Service (NIS) warned on the 20th that extremist terrorist groups might engage in sudden actions during the year-end and New Year period, urging caution.

According to the 'Terrorism Report' recently distributed by the NIS Terrorism Information Integration Center to 26 agencies and 62 overseas companies, Islamic extremist terrorist groups are highly likely to carry out 'soft target' attacks targeting ordinary citizens during symbolic holidays in the Western world, such as Christmas.

Previously, in December 2018, an ISIS follower opened fire at the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, killing five people. In December 2016, a Tunisian immigrant drove a large truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, resulting in 12 deaths.

This year, on the 10th, a Moroccan man influenced by his Islamic extremist father attempted to purchase firearms and explosives to carry out a terrorist attack in Germany but was apprehended by counterterrorism authorities.

It was also analyzed that protests against mandatory vaccinations, mainly in Europe, could turn into violent gatherings or become targets of terrorism in areas with large crowds during the year-end period.

The NIS stated, "Recently, a group of foreigners who were funding Syrian terrorist organizations was caught and sentenced to imprisonment domestically, raising concerns that South Korea may no longer be a 'terror-free country.'"