SEOUL Reuter: South Korean officials said that they believed that the communist North Korea was behind the bomb blast that killed five people at Seoul Airport and launched a huge nationwide manhunt for those responsible.

The powerful blast ripped through Kimpo Airports crowded arrival hall afternoon and 32 people were wounded according to the latest official count.

No foreigners were among the: casualties although athletes sports officials and tourists from throughout the region were flying in throughout the weekend to attend the Asian Games which opened here on Saturday. Seoul today went out of its way to reassure the 28 participating nations. Games organizers contacted all governments concerned to pledge their athletes would be safe during the 15day sporting festival.

President Chun Doo Hwan added his personal guarantee during a visit to the athlete’s village in South Easter Seoul where already tight security was further increase. A 20000 strong force police detailed to guard the sportsmen and games facilities today searched drains and toilets for possible bombs and began testing all food brought into the village.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 19, 1986