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ISIL militants march in Raqqah

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) claimed on June 19 to have evidence that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) attempted to incite a terrorist attack against two US Forces Korea (USFK) Air Force facilities and a South Korean national.

“Islamic State used the messaging program Telegram to share the locations of 77 US and NATO air bases worldwide and civilians from 21 countries, which it acquired through its hacking organization United Cyber Caliphate,” the NIS explained in a press release on June 19. “With them, it sent the message, ‘Fight with the Crusaders. Avenge Muslims.’”

The NIS also said the information “was not disseminated publicly, but consisted of confidential communications among organization members.”

A hashtagged “kill list” listed the names and home and email addresses of individuals believed to be members of South Korean Protestant-affiliated welfare groups. In addition to information for Italian, New Zealand, British, and Swedish nationals, the information shared by NIS listed an entry for an individual surnamed Kim residing in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

The information seems have been acquired by ISIL through hacking of a welfare group site, the NIS explained.

“We are working with the relevant departments to determine if Kim was identified because he is affiliated with an anti-Islam or pro-American group, or simply because he is South Korean,” said an NIS source.

“This is something that will require international coordination,” the source added.

ISIL also shared aerial photographs and coordinates for US air bases in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, and Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.

“The photographs appear to be Google satellite images, and the coordinates appear to have been compiled from material available online,” the NIS said.

The National Police Agency crisis management center noted that security at US bases has been stepped up since an announcement on June 18.

“In terms of threats to individuals believed to be South Korean, we are evaluating the need for personal protection and have increased patrols in their area,” the center said.

The threat of terrorism against a South Korean national by ISIL is not the first. In February, the group used YouTube to share personal information for civilians from several countries, including 20 South Koreans. At the time, no clear reason was identified for why they would be targeted.

“ISIL is broadening the range of its terrorism from Europe into Asia and encouraging terrorism by emerging sympathizers,” the NIS said.

“We are closely monitoring the activities of international terror groups.”

By Kim Nam-il and Lee Seung-joon, staff reporters

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