An Exploratory factor on the threats of new terrorism in the Republic of Korea

Although attention to new terrorism has increased sharply in recent years, it is by no means a new phenomenon. For decades, terrorists have carried out attacks against non-combatant targets causing massive destruction by means of various assaults. The Republic of Korea has not faced major domestic terrorist threats, and the various agencies with counterterrorist responsibilities have remained vigilant in countering what they perceive as emerging threats, such as potential home-grown terrorism through internet recruitment. But the Republic of Korea is becoming more involved in bilateral and international counterterrorism efforts in response to the growing exposure of its citizens living and traveling abroad. This presentation signifies the concept and seriousness of new terrorism in the Republic Korea, analyze different factors of causes of new terrorism and suggests new approaches. There are six significant characteristics distinguishing new terrorism from old terrorism. First, new terrorist groups show different types of structure from old terrorists, in which new terrorist groups are loose and they have no strong leadership. Second, motivation of new terrorism was more diverse and broad than one in the past. Third, new terrorism is severely indiscriminate. Fourth, new terrorists empower themselves to operate the media due to the development of technology and this makes terror quickly spreads and amplify over the world. Fifth, new terrorists are more accessible to WMDs than before. Sixth, new terrorists are less dependent on state sponsors than old terrorists, in which they are more independent. Of these characteristics, this presentation focuses on diverse causes and factors. In this sense, by analyzing various factors of new terrorism into social, technological, Economic, ecological and political levels(STEEP), this study suggests balanced approaches which are combinations of realistic and liberal approaches. The balanced approaches include not only the development of a new security system, strong condemnation against terrorism acts and reinforcement of security, but also environmental and social reform by using soft power. To do those things, international cooperation and agreement is critical. But unfortunately, The National Assembly failed to pass a comprehensive counterterrorism law, first proposed in 2001, that would have significantly improved the Republic of Korea’s ability to conduct counterterrorist activities. The Republic of Korea derives its authority to perform counterterrorist activities from Presidential Directive 47, which was last revised on May 21, 2013. The revision was mostly administrative and did not add any new authorities.