Korea denies entry to 16 with suspected terror ties

The international police body for the ongoing Incheon Asian Games has banned the entry of 16 foreigners into South Korea due to suspected links to Islamic militant groups, local police said Monday.

The National Police Agency said the International Police Coordination Center has barred seven Malaysians, five Filipinos, three Vietnamese and one Singaporean from entering South Korea since Sept. 15.

The move by the international body, composed of police officers from countries participating in the Asian Games, is aimed at guarding against any terrorist threats during the region‘s largest sporting event, according to the police.

“This is a preventive measure taken in consideration of the possibility that they could commit terrorism jointly with Southeast Asian Islamic militant groups,” a police official said.

But it has yet to be confirmed whether the 16 foreigners have attempted to enter South Korea, he added.

As part of terrorism prevention efforts, police are also attempting to track down a Pakistani man who entered South Korea as a cameraman for the Asian Games.

The 40-year-old man failed to show up for his flight back to Pakistan reserved for last Wednesday and police are investigating his whereabouts, mindful of the possibility he may seek to stay here illegally.

The Incheon Asian Games are set to close on Saturday after a 16-day run in the port city of the same name. (Yonhap)