Cannot Stand Idly by Suspected Terrorism at Orlando Shooting

In the early hours of June 12, at least 50 people were killed and 53 injured in an unforgivable and inhumane shooting in the U.S. city of Orlando that showed no regard for the dignity of human life. This shooting, the worst in U.S. history, is more shocking as it occurred even before the terrorist nightmares of Paris and Brussels this past November and March have had a chance to fade.

Aside from the certainty of tremendous loss, the motive for the crime is not yet clear. It is not only that the criminal Omar Mateen abhorred the gay community, there is a high probability he was influenced by an Islamic terrorist group. Although there is no known specific connection with a terrorist group, Mateen made a call to 911 before he committed the crime, pledging loyalty to the Islamic State. This points to a high probability that this was homegrown terrorism rather than the act of a mere “lone wolf.”

The United States and Europe have long recognized and prepared for the threat of a “lone wolf.” However, this case has fully exposed the vulnerability of the United States to homegrown terrorism.

Having occurred at such a sensitive time, this incident has had a ripple effect in all directions. Firstly, terrorism has inserted itself as a core issue in the upcoming presidential election and is likely to influence the contest between Republican candidate Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The gun control policies pushed by President Barack Obama may also gain momentum.

However, among these countless variables there is the certainty that global terrorist attacks are increasing in frequency and becoming more indiscriminant. South Korea absolutely cannot let its guard down as a country safe from terrorism. Four years ago, three Taliban members were arrested after trying to infiltrate the country under the disguise of religious priests. The Islamic State group has targeted South Korea before because the South Korean military actively supports the U.S.-led allied forces in Iraq and Syria. Given this situation, we cannot give in to our fears. As a responsible member of the international community, we must work with other countries to mount a joint response.

It becomes difficult when this sense of alarm and exclusion applies to the entirety of Islam. We can never forget the fact that these terrorists are an extremist faction within the believers of Islam.