South Korea has banned 6 515 terrorist suspects and 2 689 trouble-making football fans from entering the country ahead of the World Cup, officials said on Wednesday.
”We are keeping a close watch on terrorist organisations and possible attempts by terrorists to enter the country,” said Justice Minister Song Jeong-Ho.
Song said the government was also monitoring 2 902 illegal immigrants from countries suspected of involvement in terrorism and working closely with 80 intelligence agencies in 55 countries.
The United States this month said Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria remained on a list of ”state sponsors of terrorism,” triggering angry reactions from those countries.
South Korean military forces went on high alert on Wednesday before the World Cup starts on Friday in Seoul with President Kim Dae-Jung and other international leaders at a gala match between defending champions France and Senegal.
British police said a total of 1 007 alleged England football hooligans have been banned from the World Cup, 10 times the number barred from the European Championships two years ago.
British police will be at airports and ports and will have spotters on the streets of Japan and South Korea. British officers have been working to help Japanese and Korean police distinguish between hooligans and genuine supporters, they said. – Sapa-AFP