Vigil on bioterrorism

Chemical and biological warfare has long been a tempting idea for many military strategists but in reality has remained more of a theoretical possibility.

Since the death of a Florida journalist earlier this month, over a dozen cases of exposure to anthrax bacteria have been reported in the United States. Discoveries of similar strange powders, including copycats, have also been reported from a number of other countries -- in churches, offices and airplanes and on the streets.

Korea is not immune from the global shock waves. The biological terrorism in the United States may be considered a wake-up call for the nation. The Ministry of Information and Communications launched a special task force Monday, which would be a useful first step in fighting this newly declared war.

The government should draw up effective plans to detect and diagnose diseases, and respond appropriately to biological weapons use as well as the threat of new infections. It is also urgent to tighten postal checks and educate citizens to report suspicious mail to the police as quickly as possible. It would be a daunting task to screen some 150,000 pieces of incoming mail daily.

The South is also burdened to persuade the North to rescind its past record as a terrorist-sponsoring nation. The North Korean government should clear the doubts of the international community that it is exporting biological and chemical weapons to other "rogue" states.

It is even more imperative that the nation builds up an international network of cooperation for antiterrorism so as to host the World Cup soccer finals in a safe environment next year. No doubt the U.S. military presence here also calls for heightened alertness.

-- The Korea Herald, Seoul