Koreans return home after bombing

 

A group of Korean tourists who survived a deadly bombing in Yemen returned home yesterday on a special flight provided by the Yemeni government.

 

Sunday's bombing is suspected to be linked with the Islamic militant group al-Qaida, but the Seoul government has yet to confirm, Foreign Ministry officials said.

 

"We have yet to confirm anything since the investigation is on-going," said an official of the Honorary Consulate of Yemen here.

 

Foreign news reports yesterday said Yemeni authorities believe al-Qaida was linked to the bombing that left four Koreans dead and three more injured.

 

The bomb went off in the ancient city of Shibam, about 900 kilometers east of the Yemeni capital where the group of Koreans were on a tour. A Yemeni guide also was killed.

 

The Yemeni government is conducting an investigation into the mastermind of the bombing but has yet to officially announce the results. A Korean law enforcement officer, who was dispatched as part of a government emergency taskforce, is taking part in the probe, according to the Foreign Ministry.

 

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan on Monday requested his Yemeni counterpart to keep the South up-to-date and carry out a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of the killings.

 

As an extra precaution, Seoul has slapped a travel restriction on the entire area of Yemen, which is known for militant activity despite the government's restraint efforts.

 

Parts of the Arab nation had already been subject to the ban, meaning that Koreans are encouraged to keep out, but without any legal means to enforce the recommendation.

 

Seoul has a legally binding travel ban on three nations -- Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

 

Minister Yu has mentioned the restriction may be further toughened to an outright travel ban, but the ministry said the government has no such plans since such a move may trigger backlash not only from the Yemeni government, but also among critics here who believe the ban would infringe upon Constitutional rights.

 

The bodies of the four deceased Koreans are not expected to return home until two more days due to administrative procedures.

 

 

Source: The Korea Herald