• Korean Security Journal
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• no.47
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• pp.85-117
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• 2016

These days, ISIS terrorists have been expanding not only to european countries, but also to asian countries so South Korea is no longer safe from terrorists' attacks. Especially, 'soft target terrorism' makes many people maximizing fear of terrorism because it is caused by small groups - those who are armed with small arms and light weapons - and they are able to carry out hit and run attacks on civilian targets. It poses even more dangerous to kill massively. That is why November 2015 Paris attacks and January 2016 Jakarta attacks killed and injured many people because of 'soft target terrorism.' Therefore, the South Korea has also recognized the seriousness of terrorism by ISIS. The study has shown the precautionary measures about 'soft target terrorism' and how to defend against 'soft target terrorism' by looking through overseas examples. It is for the possibilities of 'soft terrorism' in South Korea because of the expansion of ISIS. As a result, 'soft target terrorism', caused by ISIS, could happen in South Korea. The counterplan is as in the following. First of all, 'soft target terrorism', which is collaborated with ISIS and domestic terrorists, could be caused by negative awareness of foreign residents and xenophobia so the public should change stereotypes about the foreign residents and there should be legislation about racial discrimination enacted by parliament and the government must practice the law. Second, the Korean anti-terrorism laws should be modified to minimize violations of human rights, related to the Korean citizens' personal information, and to stop the concentration of power into the hands of one law enforcement. Third, the government has to develop and to initiate the refuge&evacuation simulation, which prepares for 'soft target terrorism' and minimizes the damages if terrorists attack hot spots like central commercial areas or event halls.