(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, June 20 (KUNA) -- South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Monday the government will beef up its security measures to tackle any potential terrorist threats, amid concerns that the Islamic State (IS) may be targeting US military bases on its soil, Seoul''s Yonhap News Agency reported.
The National Intelligence Service said IS has been calling for terrorist attacks through telegrams and messaging services by revealing the locations of 77 Air Force installations belonging to the US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 21 countries, and also important individuals associated with them.
The spy said a day earlier that the IS designated US Forces Korea air force facilities in South Korea and a South Korean staff of a local civic group as targets of attacks, according to the report.
"The IS has been citing South Korea as a potential target for its attacks since last September," Hwang was quoted as saying. The premier added that the government will come up with measures to prevent terrorist attacks from occurring.
Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that South Korea''s military is willing to provide security forces to the US'' military units in the country to fend off the potential terrorist attacks by the IS.
"The joint chiefs have been informed of the related intelligence from concerned institutions and relayed them to the Combined Forces Command (between South Korea and the US) and we are taking necessary preparations," a JCS official said.
The official added the South Korean military had already revised up its terror alert in November to deal with potential terrorist attacks. (end) mk.gta