South Korea Strengthens Security for Olympics

South Korean Home Minister Lee Choon-Koo ordered police Friday to maintain surveillance on foreigners spending extended time in the country without a specific purpose as the South Korean government continued its efforts to ensure the security of the Olympic Games.

Seoul has also inaugurated a 13,000-member police Security Task Force.

With the Games scheduled to begin Sept. 17, the South Korean government was concerned about terrorist attacks, especially by the North Korean Red Army. South Korean President Roh Tae-Woo has accused the North of being capable of “any kind of adventure and provocation to mar the success of the Games.”

Presiding over a meeting of the National Security Council, Roh warned that the North Koreans could attack at any time.

“Although the Games are 113 days away, North Korean terrorism may begin in one or two months or even tomorrow,” he said.

The North has denied any intention of disrupting the Games, which it refuses to enter unless it is made a co-host.

The United States has pledged to help South Korea with security, and Japan has agreed to help counter possible terrorist attacks against the Games.

Meanwhile, Roh ordered a crackdown on “left-leaning” domestic radical groups to help safeguard the Olympics.