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By Jung Da-min
A South Korean man has been under investigation over allegations that he planned an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack using a detonator he stole from the Republic of Korea Army, according to officials at the Ministry of National Defense, Friday.
The man, 23, identified only by his surname Park, allegedly stole at least one detonator for explosives in October 2017 during his mandatory military service, when he was receiving special training at the ROK Army Engineer School as a member of the Army's demolition force.
Investigators also found Park had been saving video clips related to Islamic State terrorist activities on his cellphone as well as a clip of someone making homemade live ammunition since 2016, before his enlistment. He had allegedly uploaded Islamic State-related materials online to promote the terrorist activities.
He also allegedly downloaded a secret application of the Middle Eastern militant group used for transmitting orders among its members and received an email from a suspected member. But the defense ministry officials said whether he actually tried to join the militant group or not is yet unknown.
Park was caught for stealing the detonator at the end of 2017 when he was dispatched to a regiment after special training at the engineering school, and it was then returned to the Army.
The police started investigating the case in November 2017 when they obtained intelligence from the U.S. FBI that someone had accessed an Islamic State-related website using an IP address from South Korea.
The police tracked the IP address to identify Park who was serving in the Army, and asked for the military authority's cooperation in May this year.
"The man is charged with stealing military equipment and violating the anti-terrorism act by allegedly attempting to join the Islamic State," a ministry official said. "The (ministry's) Criminal Investigation Command referred the case to the prosecution on Monday."
Prosecutors sought to arrest Park but a military court denied the request for a warrant, claiming there was little risk of him fleeing or destroying evidence, according to the ministry official.
Meanwhile, investigators also found a machete at Park's residence, which looks similar to the broad blades that have been used by members of Islamic State.
As Park was released from his enlistment as of Tuesday, the military prosecution will cooperate with civil prosecution for further investigations.
If Park is found guilty, it will mark the first case of a South Korean citizen violating the anti-terrorism act which came into effect in March 2016.
