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South Korea stages anti-terrorist drill to tighten security

The scenario: a blast rocks the 55-floor Korea World Trade Center and police and paramedics swiftly evacuate office workers from the glass-fronted skyscraper.

Helicopters hovered, rescue teams rappelled and black-clad commandos disarmed actors posing as terrorists during a recent disaster drill at the office building. Smoke bombs and explosions were plentiful.

South Korea, which will co-host the World Cup soccer finals next year with Japan, is eager to offer reassurances that it can thwart any terrorist attacks like those in the US. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected during the event.

With the US team qualifying for the tournament, South Korean officials plan to tighten security measures such as airport controls. But many people are uneasy.

"A lot of people from various countries will be coming and that could provide a good target for terrorists," said Kim Eui-kyong, a kindergarten teacher.

South Koreans have been on low-level alert for decades because of their standoff with North Korea, though terrorism fears have diminished with fewer confrontations and more dialogue in the past decade.

Men still serve 26 months in the military, and anti-aircraft guns perch on tall buildings around Seoul. Air raid sirens blare four times a year in parts of South Korea; cars are supposed to stop briefly and pedestrians should shelter in nearby buildings, but many people ignore the exercise.

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has pledged support for the US-led campaign against terrorism, and his government last week sent blankets, tents, clothes and other aid to Afghan refugees fleeing US bombing.
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