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Seoul police step up security after attack on troops

South Korean police yesterday stepped up security for leading candidates in the Dec. 19 presidential election after a driver ran down two soldiers and grabbed their weapons.

One soldier died in hospital and the other was seriously injured after the driver of a heavy sports utility vehicle rammed them from behind and then savagely attacked them with a knife late on Thursday.

As a precaution police deployed anti-terrorist teams armed with sub-machine guns and sniper rifles to guard leading candidates, with the attacker still on the run.

"We have urgently dispatched SWAT teams to enhance security around leading candidates," an official of the National Police Agency said. "Differently from ordinary police security guards, they will be armed with sub-machine guns. Snipers will also take positions on rooftops or in the windows of buildings when the candidates have to deliver speeches."

Yonhap news agency said some 300 police including SWAT members were protecting each of the three top candidates, including frontrunner Lee Myung-bak.

Lee called off a rally in the central city of Cheongju, while leaders of his conservative opposition Grand National Party (GNP) expressed concern over a possible attack.

There have been rumors that presidential candidates, especially Lee, might become targets, Yonhap said.

"I suspect the stolen weapons might be used to attack the candidate in the run-up to the election," An Sang-soo, GNP parliamentary floor leader, told party leaders.

GNP officials said Lee's outdoor activities would be limited until the attacker is found.

The Marines were walking back to their barracks on the island of Gangwha, west of Seoul and next to the border with North Korea, when they were knocked to the ground by the vehicle.

The man then got out of his car and said: "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" the survivor and witnesses said.

But when one Marine refused to let go of his rifle, the attacker pulled a knife and stabbed him in the face, hand and leg.

The Marine managed to hit the attacker with his rifle butt, causing a head wound, but the man grabbed the rifle and pushed him off the road.

He then repeatedly stabbed the unconscious marine in the back and took a grenade and ammunition from him before speeding away, officials said. The unconscious Marine later died.

The car was found burnt out early yesterday at Hwaseong, 40km south of Seoul.
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