I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Attacks on Afghan base cause concern
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Korea’s Afghan base in Charika, in the northern province of Parwan, came under rocket attack Monday night (local time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Tuesday.
The 10th such attack targeting the military base this year alone spurred soul-searching in the government as it suspects that the Taliban could be responsible.
The foreign ministry said two rockets exploded near the military base. No damage was reported.
So far, no armed forces or group have claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Korean military teamed up with the Afghan police to investigate the attack, but found no evidence showing who to blame.
The foreign ministry didn’t rule out the possibility that the Taliban were behind the rocket attack.
The ministry initially believed that the attacks were committed by local security firms that were eliminated in bids to choose security forces to protect the base.
Government officials sat down with them on several occasions to convince them not to commit such attacks again, obtaining their vows not to do so.
Rocket attacks against the Korean military base, however, have continued even after their commitments.