In general, Koreans are not very interested in international news that does not affect their lives directly. For instance, the frequent suicide bombings in countries like Iraq and Pakistan and many other news stories coming from the Middle East, even involving the extremist Islamic State military group, are hardly even discussed over drinks among ordinary citizens.

The case of a teenager who is believed to have joined the IS, however, shows that some of what is happening in the region is no longer a matter concerning faraway lands.

The 18-year-old vanished on Jan. 10 in a Turkish city near the border with Syria and his whereabouts remain unknown. There is no hard evidence yet, but what the authorities in Korea and Turkey have found so far shows it is very likely he crossed the border to join the radical Muslim terrorist group.

Korean police found images of IS flags and fighters on his home computer, and the teenager, surnamed Kim, had been actively engaged in social media activities associated with the IS. Kim left messages that he liked the IS because he hated feminism and that he wanted to join the IS. He also mentioned Allah and posted photos of IS fighters on his Twitter account.

Surveillance camera footage and witness testimony secured by Turkish authorities found that Kim left a hotel in Kilis, southern Turkey, with a local man in a taxi van and got off near a camp for Syrian refugees in Besiriye, about 18 kilometers from Kilis.

All this circumstantial evidence shows that Kim voluntarily went to Turkey to join the IS. This should ring an alarm bell for parents and authorities in this country.

We know that the IS, utilizing the Internet and social media, is actively recruiting foreign jihadists, of which it is estimated to have at least 15,000, hailing from more than 80 countries. Last September, an IS fighter captured by Iraqi authorities claimed that IS members consisted of people from all over the world, including Korea.

It has yet to be discovered what led Kim, a middle school dropout, to develop an interest in the IS, but experts are already expressing concern that there could be copycats, especially among the socially alienated. The most vulnerable people to this could be loners and Internet and social media addicts.

Kim’s case should serve to remind Korean authorities of the importance of tightening security measures ― both online and offline ― against international terrorist groups like the IS, which may target Korea for recruitment, hostage-taking or even direct terrorist attacks. Something like the IS’ latest threat to kill two Japanese hostages unless it receives a ransom could happen to Korea.