"College Student Who Vowed Loyalty to ISIS Also Planned Explosive Attack"

It has been revealed that a college student who swore loyalty to the extremist militant group ISIS during his high school days even plotted a terrorist attack and asked an ISIS affiliate to evaluate the plan.

During the first trial of the defendant, identified as A (18), held yesterday (August 20) before Judge Choi Ji-heon of the 4th Criminal Single Division at the Cheongju District Court, prosecutors disclosed the charges containing these details.

While the specific location and method planned for the attack were not disclosed, it was reported that the plan had not reached a level with actual feasibility.

According to the indictment, A contacted the affiliate via an encrypted ISIS-related website and had already acquired bomb-making methods through the site.

A was arrested and indicted on charges of attempting to join the organization as a foreign terrorist fighter by watching propaganda materials such as beheading videos multiple times on the site and posting pledges of loyalty, among other activities.

A, who entered college this year, committed the crimes while he was a high school student and reportedly stated during investigations by investigative agencies that he did it out of curiosity.

The legal representatives for A admitted to all charges during the hearing.

The trial also included a review of A's bail application, which had been filed on the grounds of deteriorating mental health.

During the bail review, A's defense counsel argued, "Although it was confirmed that the defendant possesses a passport—contrary to what he stated during the arrest warrant review (pre-arrest interrogation)—that passport was made in the past for a family trip and has no relation to the crime."

A stated, "The judge in charge of the warrant review said I was a dangerous person and there was a risk of destroying evidence, but in accordance with the admonition not to destroy evidence, I have not touched any evidence (since the investigation began). If released, I will stay at my parents' home."

Prior to the trial that day, A's side requested a closed-door trial, but the request was denied.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 2.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.