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S Koreans told 'convert or die'
A group of South Koreans held hostage by Taleban militants in
Afghanistan have said they were beaten and ordered at gunpoint to
convert to Islam.
At a news conference in Seoul, the former captives also said they were made to work "like slaves" during their six-week ordeal.
Twenty-one members of the group were freed last month following an agreement between South Korea and the captors.
Two of the hostages - all Christian aid workers - had already been killed.
Beaten and kicked
The former hostages said they feared for their lives at times when their captors turned violent.
"We were beaten with a tree branch or kicked around.
Some kidnappers threatened us with death at gunpoint to force us to
follow them in chanting their Islamic prayer for conversion," said Jae
Chang-hee.
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Armed Taleban aimed their guns at us, and a pit was before me
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"I was beaten many times. They pointed a rifle and bayonet at me and tried to force me to convert."
He said the group "lived like slaves. We had to level the ground for motorbikes, and get water and make a fire".
Another of the group, Yu Jung-hwa, described how she thought she was going to die.
"The most difficult moment, when I had a big fear of death, was when the Taleban shot [a] video.
"All 23 of us leaned against a wall and armed Taleban aimed their guns at us, and a pit was before me.
"They said they will save us if we believe in Islam. I almost fainted at the time and I still cannot look at cameras," she said.
Leader executed
Cha Hae-jin said the group were kept "in a closed place
like a shed" and were not allowed to go out. "It was like suffocating",
she said.
Han Ji-young recalled how the leader of the group, Bae Hyung-kyu, was led away to his death.
"One day, a Taleban called Bae and checked his first and last names and took him out of the room.
"Bae didn't even look at us when he was leaving the room. He only said 'Overcome with faith'," Ms Han said, in tears.
South Korea's intelligence chief has refused to deny that his government paid a ransom to obtain the group's release.
Christian Today as well as other media outlets are reporting that 3 female hostages have been released and the remaining 16 hostages will be released soon...
Here's an editorial by the Chosun Ilbo. Much will be discussed for years to come about everything that happened. God bless everyone that prayed and everyone who helped to free the hostages.
Christian Today (UK based) reported today on the Female Korean Hostage who Forfeited Freedom for Colleague. Click on the link to read the whole article. They even have a section devoted entirely to this situation called Korean Christians Hostage Crisis being updated regularly.
How's this for selfless act. According to this article written in the Korean Chosun Ilbo, which will probably get translated to English within a day or two, one of the Korean female hostages originally chosen by the Taliban to be freed told the Taliban, "I am getting better now (health) so you can free one of the other female hostages." The Taliban member, named Abdullah, who witnessed this reported what he saw to a Pakistani reporter named Yusufzai. Abdullah couldnt remember the name of the female hostage who sacrificed her freedom and gave it to another person because her name was too difficult for him to remember. According to the article, the Taliban chose two of the women who appeared to be the most sick, but one of them gave that up to the shorter of the two freed hostages. This is a pretty amazing story. The girls actions surprised the Taliban member. If the female Korean hostage couldn't witness of Christ's love with her language she sure did it with her actions. Please continue to pray. This story is so amazing because I told my wife earlier today how amazing it would be if any of the Taliban members came to know Christ through the hostages.
I was glad to see this on James Sun's Zoodango Face 2 Face Video blog. It's just about awareness and letting people know you care however small or big your input may be. Here's another way. I've been noticing a lot more people at least mentioning this situation on their blogs so I think that's a great thing. One of the things that has bothered me though is the lack of awareness by Christian leaders/pastors in American media. Christian leaders that could call a press conference and speak out loud havent in any way from what Ive seen... And an article by Christianity Today, which Im sure some pastors read, seems to focus on the wrong things!
The latest: 2 female hostages have been freed. Thank God. The situation is still a long ways from being resolved. 19 hostages remain under threat of murder by the Taliban.
Al Jazeera News is reporting that Lim Hyun Ju spoke to UN Secretary General by phone: The woman, who identified herself as Lim Hyun-joo, a 32-year-old nurse and the group's guide who speaks the local Dari language, pleaded for help from Ban Ki-moon, who is also South Korean. "Every day it's really hard to survive. We really want to go home. We are all sick and weak," she said in English to the Voice of America radio station by phone. "We are innocent people. We came here to help the people, but now we are all sick. "Dear Mr General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon, please save us... We don't want to die."
The authenticity of the call could not be verified. It came as Afghan doctors air dropped medicine intended for the hostages, the head of a private Afghan clinic said. My wife and I thought that was odd because we didn't remember Hyun Ju knowing how to speak any English at all! It's possible she could have learned since she did learn how to speak Dari within 3 years, but we doubt it. Although we don't doubt the extremely difficult conditions and situation all the hostages are currently in, whatever information the hostages are being allowed to say through the telephones are obviously controlled by the Taliban in our opinion. The Taliban's only weapons are killing hostages and using the media for their purposes. If you actually read what the hostages say in all the interviews it seems obvious to me that they are not allowed to speak freely. Yes, I'm sure they fear for their life and some may even be so mentally fatigued that they will say anything, but I just dont see these words coming from Hyun Ju.. especially in English. Anyway, that's not important except to say we should all understand the Taliban are using the media in whatever way they can. Of course this is purely my own opinion and I am just imagining, but given freedom to say what they want, I think Hyun Ju and many of the others would say something more apologetic towards their parents and country for causing them grief. They would probably ask for continued prayer and give reassurance toward their parents as to not have their parents worry EVEN IF they are close to dieing. As Matt said in one of the comments which I am in agreement with, "Forgive me for being slightly annoyed by this newfound duty. Actually, MILLIONS of people around the world are suffering greatly, and I have to worry about all of them? That doesn't sound fair. That sounds like a huge burden that only God can bear." He was talking about how technology and news access allows us information about all the tragedies going on around the world. Obviously, if we stayed on top of all that bad news we would never be able to have a smile on our face. I say, the burden is light because Jesus has already paid the price. We know as believers that these 23 (21 currently), whether they die now or later are promised salvation. Still, when our brothers and sisters are suffering and their families are going through what they are, if we dont share the burden to pray for them or have a broken heart for the situation, I'd say we should take a look at not only our hearts, but our lives and see what we are consumed with. Sorry, I'm not trying to get preachy hear if it sounds that way. I guess because I know one of the hostages and have some ties with their sending group, this situation just hits the nerves more. I know my heart turns cold and I become numb to hearing all the bad news in this world. You almost wonder what good it would do to pray right? I remember when I was in UZ and there was news that an earthquake in Iran killed 50 or 60 thousand people in one city, my heart broke for those people who probably died without ever hearing the gospel. And more recently, when I watched, "The Last King of Scotland" and learned about 300,000+ Ugandans being murdered, I wondered how I learned this fact through a movie. Perhaps it was on the news at the time, but I CHOSE not to listen. This world is a broken place. It needs healing. As I see it, it needs Jesus. It's really weird, we expect so many of our problems to just go away. Everything in our culture is so fast paced and results oriented. Even news is easy come and easy go. We hear about the kidnap and murder of a innocent child oneday and think the next day its been resolved and flush it out of our memory. That's how life is in our culture. While my wife and I were shooting a wedding yesterday, we had a break to go to another location and all of a sudden we both started to think about Hyun Ju and the hostages. It was such a weird and unreal feeling because here we were doing our job on a given Saturday and half way around the world, someone we knew was sitting in a dark cave or mud building with Taliban murderers standing next to them with masks on their face ready to kill them at any given moment. That was the reality.... How do you deal with that feeling? Its the same for anyone that loses someone I suppose. If you lost a family member, you might pause during the middle of the day when something suddenly reminded you of them and remember they are no longer here with you. You can't call them on the telephone because they arent around. Anyway... whenever there are life and death issues before me I become this way and start to think too much. I think its one of the ways I cope and try to make sense of this crazy world. Let's continue to pray for the safe return of all the remaining hostages to their families. If you havent ever been on a mission trip I urge you to take a leap of faith and see for yourself how the rest of the world lives. Your heart will change.
Amnesty International demands immediate release of all hostages. Click Here for Full Article “Hostage-taking is a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law. There are no exceptions to this rule and no justifications for breaking it. Hostage taking and the killing of hostages are war crimes and their perpetrators must be brought to justice," said Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan.
These latest violations directly contradict previous Taleban commitments not to target civilians or ill-treat prisoners. Taleban spokesperson Qari Yusef Ahmadi told Amnesty International on Wednesday that “we are trying to resolve this issue (holding South Koreans hostage) acceptably” but did not agree to protect them from harm and release them immediately as required under international law. Ahmadi also told Amnesty International: “we are trying not to come into confrontation with international humanitarian law, and also not acting in contradiction with human rights, where it agrees with Sharia Law.” Amnesty International emphasized that no legal system is above international law and is deeply concerned by last week’s statement by senior Taleban commander Mansour Dadullah that “kidnapping is a very successful policy and I order all my mujahideen to kidnap foreigners of any nationality wherever they find them and then we should do the same kind of deal."
There's an excellent documentary that came out in 2006/2007 directed by an Afghan/American named Sedika Mojadidi. It's called Motherland Afghanistan and if you have Netflix, you can watch it online without having to order the DVD. It's only like $5 for membership so it's well worth it. It follows Sedika's father, a OBGYN doctor in America, to Afghanistan to care for the woman and babies of that land. It is very powerful and helps us Westerners see real Afghan people and their lives. It isnt religious or political, it's just Afghanistan and its people.... very well made.
This type of documentary is something I hope to do in my future....
When I was in Korea before getting married, my wife and I went to the "63 building" (tallest building in Korea) and they had displays/pictures of Korea from the old days. I think it was like 50-100 years ago. The amazing thing was the images that were depicted of the people show what Afghanistan looks like now.
Here's a link to an interview with Sedika Mojadidi, after she made the documentary.
One of her comments:
What impact do you hope this film will have? I hope the film will make viewers think a little differently about thecountry, about the stereotypes American audiences have been fed aboutAfghans. I hope people will watch the film and feel like one person canmake a difference in lives of other people. I hope it motivates viewersto take on more challenges in their own lives and move to change theworld.
Here's another Interview.
I can't sleep. Some of you that read my blog may be asking what we can do? Prayer seems to be the best answer I can give. I do have a question for my Korean Christian brothers and sisters who see what is happening in Afghanistan. Where is your voice? The least you can do is blog about it and let others know. Your silence disturbs me. It's as if we say, "Oh yeah... it's so sad." And we forget about it. I know I'm very attached to what is happening because I know some of the people involved, but I would think even if I didnt the fact the hostages are Korean, Christians, short term missionaries or aid workers (most), would make you relate to them. Look at their faces below, it could be any one of you or your friends that you see every weekend at your church. I am sorry if anyone takes offense at me being so honest and I will be the first to admit that I fall short. But it's times like these where I would like to see Korean-Americans unite to say lets pray and bring into discussion whats happening to our own. Ive seen it before when Korea held the World Cup and people were going crazy bonkers for the "Reds." Why not now? When so much more is at stake?
I'm gonna go off on a tangent, but a survey reported on by the Christian Post found "Christians World Wide Too Busy For God." It said:
"[I]t may be the case that (1) Christians are assimilating to a cultureof busyness, hurry and overload, which leads to (2) God becoming moremarginalized in Christians’ lives, which leads to (3) a deterioratingrelationship with God, which leads to (4) Christians becoming even morevulnerable to adopting secular assumptions about how to live, whichleads to (5) more conformity to a culture of busyness, hurry andoverload. And then the cycle begins again."
A question and answer from Pastor Eugene's latest update about the Korean Hostages in Afghanistan.
I respect your post and your opinion on your recent post of the hostages. However, let me ask you what you think we should do?We cannot for any reason give into their demands. Why? Because thesewill not be the only hostages taken. It opens the doors for people toblackmail again in the future. If you don’t give into their demandsand don’t give them press…they have won nothing. I am sorry these individuals have and will have tosuffer. I know you don’t believe this, but it has nothing to do withthe race of the hostages. It has to do with terrorists and not givingin to the hatred they spread. By the way…I think it is convenient how so many arewilling to blame the U.S. for not getting involved in some situationsand then blame them for getting involved in others. The U.S. can’t beeverywhere at once and nowhere at all. Of course, it is always thefault of the U.S. isn’t it?
Pastor Eugenes Response: Thanks for youremail. This is obviously a complex situation. War always is. I amnot a brilliant strategist, military thinker, or political analyst. I’m a 37 year old United States citizen that happens to also be ofKorean descent. I am Korean-American. I am also a Christian and apastor. I share these elements to simply convey my worldview. I seethis hostage situation from the lens colored as an American citizen, aKorean-American born in Korea, a Christian who then obviously sharesthe faith of the 23 original hostages; and a pastor like Bae Hyung Kyu,the first martyr. I was also on the pastoral staff years ago at a verylarge church - like Saemmul Presbyterian Church - in Korea. LikeSaemmul, we sent out hundreds of missionaries and relief groups allaround the world. I personally have led and participated in severaltrips somewhat similar to this group - albeit not as dangerous. No one has initially blamed the United States. Whilethere may be political jabs going back and forth on other blogs andconversations, my motivation has not been to create that sort offorum. I think we can all AGREE that what is EVIL inthis situation are the actions of the Taliban. They have kidnappedand murdered. I don’t care what anyone says about the proselytizationelement of this church group, it STILL does not justify the actions. I understand the reasoning behind Afghanistan andUS’s stance on not exchanging hostages. It makes perfect rationalesense. But if the roles were reversed, don’t you think the US would beclamoring and flexing for Korea to exchange hostages for US citizens? Korea has proven itself to be a strong ally to theUnited States in the “fight against terror.” This is why Korea hasasked for “flexibility” from the United States in its hostage policy. There’s a long relationship with US and Korea. Imagine this situationfrom Korea’s perspective: Their citizens are taken as hostages andlike any responsible government, they want to work to free thehostages. The Taliban require something for the freedom of the Koreancitizens but it has nothing directly to do with Korea. They wantTaliban prisoners - held by Afghanistan and the United States. Koreaasks and both countries say, “No.” What then is Korea to do? Onehostage executed. Second hostage executed. Third… I am not personally advocating for an exchange of hostages for the very reason you mentioned but the question must be asked: Isthe United States doing ALL that they possibly can do, with theexception of exchanging hostages, to work with Korea in bringing backthese hostages? I ask this question as a United States citizen. Why? Because it should be asked of us… My other area of concern has been what I perceive tobe the lack of focused attention and compassion by the media. We allknow the media wields much influence. It both captures the heart ofthe larger culture AND simultaneously shapes and molds what we areseeing, hearing, feeling, and believing. What we have seen [on themost part] are secondary, if even that, news items. While it has aplace in the cultural landscape and thus, news, I am personallyoverdosed of Britney, Lohan, Vick, Bonds, and Paris. But, that’s justme. While the media is a free enterprise, shouldn’t it also be guided by a moral compass of mercy, justice, and compassion? Where is the outrage? So, let me recap the story: 23 Koreans prepare,plan, and pray for a trip to Afghanistan. It is a war torn country. Itis dangerous but they go because no one else goes to Afghanistan. Thetrip is led by Pastor Bae Hyung Kyu who leaves behind his wife and 9year old daughter to lead this group for a 10 day relief trip. Themajority of the team are young Christians - 2os and 30s - who makesacrifices of finances, time and health to be a source of aid,blessing, and hope. They are hosted by Im Hyun Joo, a 32 year oldwoman who had worked in Korea as a nurse but felt called to serve thepeople of Afghanistan through her skills and faith - particularly thechildren. The brutal reality is they are kidnapped and taken ashostages. Two are killed. Two are reportedly deathly ill. There areconstant threats to kill all the hostages… The world knows about it. United States knows about it. The media knows about it. Christians know about it. Do we care? When we should be celebrating these young people forthe choices [even as they seem extremely unwise now] they make todemonstrate mercy and compassion, our voices are silent. There ishardly a whimper. It’s on the news for a nigth - only to be drowned bythe images of a distorted culture. The capital “C” church? I’m sure there are folks andchurches mindful and praying about this situation but on the mostpart, it was really really quiet for a long long time. Feel free toshare your thoughts but just don’t throw rocks. Spread the Word. Shout. Cry. Pray. Blog. Kneel. Stand and Shout in Solidarity. But don’t be silent. Love Wins.
The remaining 21 hostages
READ the full article called THE TRAGEDY OF AFGHANISTAN.
Ive copied the last paragraph from the article below. It is an important article I think that gives a little history of why there is so much death in that land. A few weeks or maybe days after this situation is resolved, by release or death, a majority of the people will forget what happened while the people of Afghanistan will continue to suffer. As you pray for the German and Korean hostages, I also ask you to pray for Afghanistan. Its a land that is torn by war and terror. It is a land and people we need to understand.
The history of Afghanistan is a tragedy filled with invasions andfeuds. It has earned itself a reputation as an “arena of competition inAsia” and a “resting place of invaders.” The Soviet Union got boggeddown there after it invaded in 1979 and started walking down the roadof collapse. Now the United States, too, is unable to find its way outof the Afghan trap. U.S. policy in Afghanistan has been a failure sinceit invaded in 2001. The United States is at a point where it needs tomake some new choices. READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Taliban 'Spokesman' Talks Exclusively to Chosun Ilbo
[Analysis] U.S. holds key to hostage crisis in Afghanistan
Hostage Crisis Calls for Exceptional Resolve
Taliban Leave Tribal Roots for Al Qaeda Tactics
Ask Pakistan to Help in Hostage Crisis
Ever since we've heard news of the kidnapping, the world just seems a little darker.
Isaiah 53:7 NIV He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 
God heal this land... 
How do you feel?
At what point will we hear higher ups in the US govt speak more loudly against what is happening in Afghanistan. Isn't this a political issue as much as an issue dealing with Christian missionaries? At what point will US Christian leaders or those who think they are leaders speak for prayer and awareness of what is happening. I understand since all the hostages are Korean, it really isnt American news, but it is news about the Taliban.
While I'm ranting about the govt. can I add that I'm not happy to hear the US is trying to sell 30 billion dollars worth of weapons of mass destruction (of mass destruction is something I added) to Saudi Arabia and the middle east? 20 Billion worth to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states and 10 billion to Israel. Are we trying to fund the war in Iraq, by selling arms (some of it extremely sophisticated in nature) to an area in turmoil? I know this is a lot more complicated, but it only takes common sense to see what is happening.
At one point, wasn't the US funding Iraq and Iran? I just dont get it... or maybe I do...
In other news, another hostage has been murdered. This time a 29 year old man and the Taliban are saying they have no problems killing woman or men since this is war. Please read Pastor Eugenes blog for more objective news and daily updates.
So the latest news seems to be coming from YTN. Their website doesnt have English translation. None of the English news agencies are reporting this at this point, but another hostage is heard speaking entirely in English over a cell phone begging to be saved. She's pleading for the US and Korean govt to help. My personal feelings are that the Taliban are trying to use this method to arouse reactions from the public so they would pressure the govt. It seems like the hostage has been told what to say by the Taliban, but that's only my opinion.
Let's continue to pray for a quick and peaceful resolution.
Worldpress.org has an extensive list of Korean News agencies listed on their website. It even highlights their political/religious bent if they have one. Most of the links lead to the Korean language site, but if they offer English translated versions of the site, you should see an obvious link.
It seems like the English version of the JoongAng (Central) Daily is always one or two days behind the reporting of the Korean version. Here is the LINK to the original article with an interview of Hyun Ju's brother. I've copied it below.
“We are at least fortunate to find out that she is alive,” Lim Cheolsaid yesterday after an American television network broadcast the voiceof his younger sister, who is one of 22 hostages remaining in the handsof the Taliban. “The moment I heard the voice on TV, I knew instantlythat it was my younger sister.”
On Thursday, CBS aired athree-minute telephone conversation with Lim Hyun-ju, a 32-year-oldnurse who was kidnapped in Afghanistan on July 19. Among the 23hostages, the Taliban killed one and Lim said she was detained with 17other women. Lim had been acting as a guide for the group of churchvolunteers on a short-term visit to the country.
“She is in a dangerous situation, but she appeared to be calm,” her brother said.
Accordingto her family, Lim used to work at Severance Hospital in Sinchon,Seoul. She left for Afghanistan three years ago to work in a medicalmission. Her passion was clearly visible from her e-mail ID,“afghanlove,” the Lims said.
“Some say going to Afghanistan isreckless, but she went there because no one goes there to help,” her34-year-old older brother said. “My sister has already adjusted to thelocal environment, so she could communicate accurately.”
CBS reported that Lim spoke in Korean and an Afghan dialect.
“Sheis the only daughter among four children. My parents initially opposedher decision to go to Afghanistan, but she had very strong desire togo. Her determination eventually persuaded my parents,” he said.
Herfamily and friends remember Lim’s brief visit to Korea last month,because she brought a young Afghan girl who had lost both her handsduring the war. Lim sponsored surgery to provide the girl withartificial hands.
“I hope the Taliban understand that thevolunteers truly love Afghanistan. It is hard to understand that theseyoung people, who went there to help those in need, are being heldhostage,” Lim’s brother said. “Please release them as soon as possible.”
By Park Yu-mi JoongAng Ilbo/ Ser Myo-ja Staff Writer
 The hostage that was recently interviewed by CBS is named Lim Hyun Ju. I didnt want to post any pictures of her because I thought it might bring more attention to her within the group, but her pictures all over the Korean news websites now. Here's a picture of my wife, Hyun Ju and two other workers in Afghanistan. I think these pictures were taken in 2004. Regarding the taped interview. I think people should listen to it knowing that a Taliban terrorist could be standing next to her pointing a gun at her and telling her what to say. There has been so much confusion and misinformation about everything that is going on, we wont know the whole story until they are freed. I honestly believe that Hyun Ju would be willing to die for what she believes in. That is why she is there. I know when I went to UZ, that is the mind set I had. There must be a huge burden right now in her heart for the short term workers who came. From the news I heard, the men have been separated from the women and the women didnt even know Pastor Bae had been murdered. Also, my wife told me there is a brother/sister in the group as well. Think about how their parents must feel. A little note. If you have any negative comments to say here, I dont care for your comments so dont leave them. There were some bad decisions made by this group when they got taken as hostages, but they were there for a good cause... a cause worth dying for.
Afghan people waiting to receive medicine from my wife 
Pastor Eugene from Quest is blogging his thoughts and news regarding the kidnappings. So is Wayne Park...
CBS News interviewed by phone one of the hostages. She's our friend and the one we were talking about... CBS got her name spelled all wrong. She speaks in Afghan language about 90% of the interview and says a few words in Korean towards the end. Lord please bring them back...
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3100382n
Body of South Korean hostage recovered
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=3465218
Dying for your faith. It seems so noble when you listen to the sermons on Sundays or read stories of people who've given up their life for Christ. The cold reality of what death looks like may make you change your mind. I think the video above shows the dead body of the pastor in the bed of the truck with a couple Afghan soldiers smiling for the camera. Death is cold. I'm sure these soldiers see death quite a lot. They've become cold to it.
A couple months ago, I discovered the dead body of an acquaintance in his apartment. He had been dead for a few days apparently from alcohol poisoning or suicide. I was shaking a bit and very nervous when I discovered that, but the cops were laughing and talking about their day as if nothing happened. I guess certain occupations can make you very cold to the reality of death.
Was it in Braveheart where William Wallace says in his cool accent, "Everyone dies, not everyone lives."
Pastor Bae Hyung Kyu, you lived and you died a martyr for what you believe in with love. In my eyes, there is nothing more noble.
Bae Ho-jung, father of the Rev. Bae Hyung-kyu, prays with his foreheadon a Bible after it was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that hiskidnapped son was killed by Taliban militants.
My wife and I've been in prayer today. I think this is affecting her differently than me. I don't know why. She will start to cry and go through all kinds of emotion. I haven't been that way. I don't know if my heart has hardened or what, but I just know its different. Perhaps it's because she is a lot closer to the people from the sending church. Many people from that church used to send large groups for short term work when we were in the field. One of the hostages (we don't know if she's one of the 8 reportedly released) has been in Afghanistan for 3+ years. A large picture of her was recently in one of the Korean internet sites. I don't know for sure but I guess her professor from nursing school or something released a picture of her saying how proud he was of her and the humanitarian work she was doing there to a news agency. That didn't seem too wise when the situation isn't even resolved.
I didn't want to turn this into an ongoing edited entry like I did for the Apprentice post so I'm not sure what more Ill write...
I can only imagine how the families are feeling right now, especially after hearing the leader was shot in the head and body at least 10 times. Wasn't 1 bullet enough to kill him? If the terrorists are trying to send a message of intimidation and fear, its worked. Yet, there is freedom knowing that he is in heaven.
Please continue to pray for the safety, release and quick resolution of this situation. Pray for the Afghan people as well who've suffered so much through endless wars and continual terror in their land.
Ghazni Province Villagers participate in a demonstration in Ghazni,Afghanistan, on Tuesday. Villagers in Ghazni Province held a rallydemanding that the hostages be released, said Mohammad Zaman, thedeputy provincial police chief. Some carried banners and shoutedslogans calling for the Koreans to be freed, he said. An AP TelevisionNews reporter saw 100 to 150 villagers demonstrating./AP
Thanks to the few people who've commented or said a prayer in private. If you don't know what I'm talking about please go to the world section of bbc, cnn or yahoo to see whats happening in Afghanistan and pray for the hostages.
We know for a fact now that one of the girls, who was actually mistaken for an Afghan, because she speaks their language is someone we know well. She's been serving as a nurse at a hospital there and probably serving as an escort for the larger group from Korea. We've had meals together and spent some time together when my wife and I were in the area. I would post her picture up so you guys can feel more connected to who we're talking about, but since this situation is still happening I won't. My wife also knows several of the people from the sending place in Korea.
Again please pray for their safety and release soon.
I also noticed the picture of one of the workers sent by Onnuri that was given to Reuters being displayed in some of the pictures. She's a surgeon, but she's not one of the people kidnapped from what we know.
I think many people are asking why they were there. Besides the main reason, they are there to provide medical help, provide supplies to the workers as well as Afghans, and to serve. Many critics in Korea are posting all kinds of insensitive comments that are extremely selfish from what Ive seen.
Im also surprised by the lack of attention this story has received from the American media especially considering it involves those "taliban". The politics of this whole situation is really complicated. Do you give in to the demands the kidnappers are making? If you do it just lets them know their tactics worked. Or do you wait. I could go on and on.... I dont want to...
Here's a good read for those who want to read more. It starts off like this:
We don't hear much about South Korea's involvement in the Middle East,but they're one of our biggest allies in the "fight against globalterror." Back in 2004, they sent 3,400 troopsof their own to Iraq to help our own. That was by far the secondlargest coalition force after Great Britain. So, yeah. Althoughthey're not mentioned often, Korea has been kind of important andoverall, they have been a good ally. So it's kinda unsettling to seethe U.S. media as well as the blogosphere's silence (or unawareness?)about what transpired this past week in Afghanistan.
READ THE REST HERE. I dont know who the author is and I dont know what else is on his site, but I read his article and I think its worth reading.
FROM JOONGANG NEWS
[Viewpoint]Distressing calls We shouldn’t be attacking volunteers who went to an area of the world where their help is needed most. July 25, 2007 InApril 2004, the Japanese archipelago was boiling over with debate afterthree Japanese who were in Iraq on a news coverage and volunteermission were taken hostage by rebel forces in Iraq.
Instead ofshowing sympathy to the kidnap victims, however, the Japanese peoplekept asking, “Who asked them to go to such a deadly place?”
There were plenty of letters sent and telephone calls made, cursing the the family members of the victims.
The right-wing press demanded that the three “apologize to the Japanese people and the government for causing trouble.”
And the government said, menacingly, “We will charge the kidnapped people for the expenses spent on the rescue operation.”
Afterreturning home, the hostages endured criticism from all sides. They hadto issue an apology and their family members had to bow before thepeople saying, “Sorry for causing everyone anxiety.”
When a Korean, Kim Seon-il, was kidnapped two months later, the reaction of the Korean people was quite different.
The whole nation expressed worries and concern about his safe return.
TheKorean government also vowed to do anything it could to secure hisrelease. When he was finally killed by the rebel forces and his bodysent home, the whole country mourned his death, expressed anger aboutthe cold-blooded murder of an innocent Korean and prayed for the lateman.
Three years have passed since then. Now, 23 Korean youthshave been taken hostage by the Taliban. The reaction of the Koreansociety is not the same as it was three years ago. This time, it isice-cold. The harsh words, “Why should the government use taxpayers’money to bring back people who ignored their warning?” keep gettingrepeated across Korea.
Why has the reaction of the people changed completely? I think the intervention of religion is the key.
Thatbecomes more clear when people jeer and use strong words on Web sitessuch as, “Ask your own God to save them,” and “The clergyman who drovehis followers to the jaws of death should kill himself.”
In oursociety, the antipathy has been high against overzealous Christians whorandomly promote “imperialistic missionary activities abroad” and “thestubborn propagation of Protestant churches” who ignore the feelings ofpeople who live in areas they are trying to convert.
On top of that,a dash of anti-U.S. sentiment has been added. People think Muslims whoare persecuted by the United States are the victims. They are sayingthat because the Christians wanted to build “God’s Land” in the Islamiccountry, they deserve to have been kidnapped.
It is true that thevolunteer group behaved indiscreetly. They have become a burden to theKorean troops still in Afghanistan, Dongui and Dasan, which have beenworking hard for international peace for some years. They have also putthe government in a difficult position. In international negotiations,the winner takes all.
I also sympathize with the opinion that theemphasis on the missionary accomplishments of the Korean Protestantchurches, which have sent the second-largest number of missionaries allover the world, is excessive.
However, this is not right. Althoughthey made bad decisions, it is not right to condemn people who have ayouthful passion to help their neighbors in pain. The Taliban are thefanatics. They don’t hesitate to kidnap and kill innocent civilians.
Afghanistan,where a civil war between the Taliban and moderate government forces isbeing fought, is the most dangerous place in the world. But it is aplace where the helping hands of volunteers are needed the most. Thisis the reason why volunteer workers were dispatched there.
Whenthe Japanese public criticized the Japanese hostages, then-U.S.Secretary of State Collin Powell encouraged the victims by saying,“Society will not progress if there are no people willing to risk theirlives.”
Le Monde, a French newspaper, saracastically called Japanthe country that wanted its hostages to pay for their rescue. And, thepaper added, the genuineness of the youths have enhanced the image ofJapan, which was not so good internationally. People go to war-tornplaces to help others because there are people who need help. After allwe do not scold a climber in deep distress who calls for a rescue teamon a tall mountain.
*The writer is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo.
by Lee Hoon-beom
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