Busan steps up security measures ahead of APEC
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Busan City is bolstering security measures ahead of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, limiting political gatherings and rallies in major venues.
The city plans to close schools Nov. 18-19, when the 21 heads of APEC member states hold a summit.
“To secure the safety of guests participating in the APEC forum, we will designate Haeundae Beach, the Seomyeon area, Gimhae Airport and the Dongnae hot springs area as special security zones where monitoring will be strengthened,” said Eo Cheong-soo, director of the Busan metropolitan police agency, during a news conference Monday.
City authorities will deploy more policemen to look over the designated areas and prohibit political gatherings and rallies within 1.5 kilometers of the areas.
“The objective is to provide APEC guests with a safe environment to share their ideas and make it easy to move around. We have no intention to stop peaceful gatherings during the forum, except for around these areas,” Eo said.
The Busan city government also plans to strengthen its crackdown on illegal immigrants ahead of the APEC forum.
More than 1,700 law enforcement officials were deployed on Tuesday to search for illegal immigrants or foreign visitors with suspicious behavior.
Less than a month ahead of the APEC summit, the government and Busan city officials are making efforts to tighten security.
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said it plans to strengthen inspections of people and goods moving in and out of 19 countries that may be related to international terrorists activities at airports and harbors.
There are about 600,000 travelers per year coming directly from or passing through the 19 countries before coming to Korea, according to the customs agency.
The KCS will also step up inspections of luggage sent to hotels and foreign official residences in Busan.
The customs agency will also send an additional 286 agents to help security efforts at Gimhae Airport and forum venues.The source of news : Korea.net October 25, 2005
