(4th LD) S. Korea condemns deadly France attack

(ATTN: UPDATES twith latest information in para 7)

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday condemned the deadly truck attack in southern France, saying no act of terrorism can be condoned under any circumstances.

On Thursday night (local time), a truck drove into a crowd during celebrations for the Bastille Day holiday, killing at least 84 people and injuring more than 100 others, according to media reports. The driver, who was shot dead by police, was identified as a 31-year-old Franco Tunisian man.

Seoul's foreign ministry expressed "shock and anger" at the loss of so many lives in what it called a "barbaric terrorist attack," saying it stands with the international community in working to eradicate terrorism around the world.

"We strongly condemn this terrorist act," the ministry said in a statement. "Our government, with the firm belief that terrorism is a crime against civilization and humanity, which cannot be condoned under any circumstances, strongly supports the French government's efforts to root out terrorism."

The government also extended its condolences to the victims' families and the French people.

Meanwhile, a ministry official said the government has been checking the safety of South Koreans in Nice, with no casualties reported so far.

So far, two South Koreans could not be contacted, according to the official.

The South Korean Embassy in Paris has dispatched two staff members, including a consul, to the scene.

The ministry said that it is also considering raising its travel alert level for Nice by one notch and asking South Koreans to refrain from traveling to the Mediterranean city. The alert level for the popular tourist destination is currently at the lowest of four possible levels.

hague@yna.co.kr
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