Update 8/31/07 - I have put news of the Korean hostages at the top of my blog for many weeks now. I am so glad they have all been released and will soon be reunited with their families and loved ones. According to news reports the former hostages left Kabul today, Friday, on a chartered UN plane to fly back to Korea.
What the long-term fallout of the ordeal will be remains to be seen. News reports suggest a large sum of money changed hands to secure the hostages release, though that remains to be confirmed. The release came at the cost of stopping all Korean humanitarian involvement in Afghanistan, a result the KoreaWorld Missions Association criticized.
"Korean churches cannot help expressing deep concerns over the agreement reached between the government and the Taliban to halt missionary activities in Afghanistan," the organistaion [sic] said in a statement.
More:
German politicians also criticised South Korea's handling of the crisis.
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said Berlin would stand firm in its refusal to negotiate over a German engineer captured by the Taliban more than six weeks ago.
A Taliban spokesman said kidnappings by the Taliban would likely continue.
Update 8/30/07- Great News!! The last of the 7 hostages have been released - After 43 Days held hostage.
The Korea Times reports: All the 19 freed hostages will be transported together to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, after brief medical checkups at a nearby U.S. military base.
The hostages are expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport on Saturday, according officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. They will be subsequently hospitalized at the Severance Hospital in Seoul for further medical checkups.
In Seoul, the Saemmul Church said that it will bear full responsibility for any expenditure incurred by the government for the release of the 21 hostages.Me: Many of us have prayed regularly for the safety of the hostages and for their families. We are so glad they are now free! At the same time, we remember the families of the two martyred men, killed without cause, by the Taliban: Shim Sung-min andPastor BaeHyung-kyu.
Korean-American pastor, Eugene E. Cho, makes pertinent comments:
I’m frustrated by the continual references to the 23 Korean Christian Relief group as the perpetrators in this entire ordeal. They are NOT the perpetrators. When have they stopped being the victims of a grave human rights violation? While they had an agenda [simply by their faith in Jesus], they went to Afghanistan to help the people of Afghanistan. The church that commissioned them had invested significant funds to help build a hospital and other elements of infrastructure.
Let’s not forget the real perpetrators in this ordeal - the Taliban. They’ve managed to get the Korean officials to agree to withdrawing their remaining quasi-troops, order all current Korean missionaries out of the country, agree to halt all future Christian involvement, and I’m certain that they’ve walked away with loads of cash. What will the Taliban agree to? What will they pay for the brutal murders of Pastor Bae Hyung Kyu and Shim Sung Min? How is the global community holding them accountable?
Again, my prayer is that something like this doesn’t discourage people all around the world - regardless of their religious views- to pursue a desire to DO GOOD and help fellow humanity. It is my prayer that this doesn’t discourage Christian missionaries around the world to pursue their convictions in both communicating and demonstrating the gospel and grace of Christ.
Update 8/29/07 - Wednesday: Day 41 of the Ordeal
The Taliban free 12 of the 19 remaining South Korean hostages! 7 more hostages are to be released in the next couple days. - Thank God! This certainly is wonderful news! But of course we grieve over the senseless murder of the two Korean men. The Korea Times offers a timeline of events.
Update 8/28/07 - Tuesday: Day 40 of the Ordeal
Taliban promise to free Korean hostages according to AP writer Amir Shah.
Taliban militants agreed Tuesday to release 19 South Korean church volunteers held hostage for six weeks after Seoul reaffirmed a pledge to withdraw its troops by year's end and prevent Christian missionaries from working in Afghanistan.
The militants apparently backed away from demands for a prisoner exchange. But the Taliban, who killed two South Korean hostages last month, could emerge with enhanced political legitimacy for negotiating successfully with a foreign government. . .
The Taliban kidnapped 23 Koreans as they traveled by bus from Kabul to Kandahar on July 19. The militants killed two male hostages in late July, then freed two women captives earlier this month. (Click here for more details of the agreement)
Update 8/27/07 - Monday: Day 39 of the Ordeal
Chosun.com reports that the 19 Koreans held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan will be released in a couple of days. Reportedly, release conditions require "that Korea will pull out troops stationed in the war-ravaged country in the coming weeks and order all Korean evangelical missionaries home from the staunchly Islamic country." Final agreement is expected in the next couple of days. Other sources are more cautious.
CBN News offers a general video report, not including the latest news mentioned above. It emphasizes the families anxiously waiting in Korea.
Update 8/25/07 - Saturday; Day 37 of the Ordeal
Developments may be brewing. The Islamic News Agency says the Taliban are likely to free the hostages on Sunday. But Yonhap News reports South Korean negotiators say "no agreement reached yet." (HT: Cho)
Update 8/24/07 - Day 36 of the ordeal - This from Eugene Cho:
Today, the two freed Korean female hostages conducted an exclusive video interview with Al Jazeera and pleaded for the life of the remaining hostages.
Speaking exclusively to Al Jazeera, in an interview broadcast on Thursday, Kim Kyung-ja and Kim Jee-na said the relief they felt at their release was overshadowed by the plight of the remaining hostages.
“You probably think we are happy now, with our families. In fact, we can hardly sleep at night,” said Kim Jee-na.
“I understand that Islamic teachings give priority to life and family. Please release our co-workers as soon as possible.”
Lee Jee-young, one of the hostages and who had also been working as a translator for the group, gave up her place as one of the hostages to be freed.
“We were very worried when we heard that Jee-yong volunteered to be left behind,” said Kim Jee-na. “But the Taliban allowed Jee-yong to write a letter to her family which consoled her and gave her some hope that she would come home soon.”
Me: I strongly recommend clicking through to see the video interview. Keep praying!
Update 8/23/07 - Day 35 - From Chosun.com:
The Taliban has issued a new death threat pressuring Kabul to release imprisoned Taliban rebels in exchange for the 19 Korean hostages.
Direct negotiations to free the captives stopped late last week but reports indicate Korea and the Taliban have their phone lines open.
The Taliban renewed its threat to kill the 19 Korean hostages if its demands are ignored.
Update 8/22/07 - Day 34 of the ordeal - This from Eugene E. Cho's blog:
Negotiations between the Taliban and Korean officials have been at a near standstill since the release of the two Korean female hostages. New reports indicate that the Taliban are losing patience. Meanwhile, the Korean officials are simply asking for more time. Several of the Korean hostages seem to have grown in their resolve and courage and have gone on a hunger strike.
Pastor Cho, a Korean-American, gave an interview to the Evangelical Covenant Church which is well worth reading. A YouTube video presents a time-line of events with English subtitles.
Update 8/21/07 - Afghan Government forms special committee on hostage situation.
Update 8/20/07 - Hostage Negotiations Continue Between the Taliban and the Korean Government
Update 8/19/07 - From Yonhap News:
DUBAI, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- Some of the South Korean hostages held by the Taliban have begun a hunger strike, demanding that they be united instead of being divided into groups. . .
The kidnappers have separated the 19 captives into five groups, according to the source, and all of them are still in the Ghazni province.
"A man and two women went on a hunger strike from Sunday morning, demanding that they be brought together into one group," the source said.
Me: The hostages have now been held for one month. Continue to pray.
Update [August 18] Eugene E. Cho reports the following:
Negotiations between the Taliban and Korean officials have failed and according to the Taliban, their “Leadership Council” will determine the fate of the hostages. In another disturbing news, another relief aid worker, a German woman, was kidnapped by gunmen assailants at an eatery in Kabul, Afghanistan. More info via AP on CNN. Update 8/19/07 - Kidnapped German Woman Rescued.
The two freed hostages were unaware of the deaths of their pastor [Bae Hyung Kyu] and friend [Shim Seong Min] until they were notified during their flight back to Korea. As you can assume, they were shocked and deeply saddened…
Tomorrow is the ONE MONTH MARK of this hostage crisis. Let’s continue to pray and advocate for our fellow brother and sisters. 19 hostages still remain in captivity with the Taliban.
Update 8/17/07 - Two Former Female Hostages Return to South Korea The freed captives were identified as Kim Kyung-ja and Kim Ji-na, 37 and 32 years old, respectively.
Update 8/16/07 - Taliban to Resume Direct Negotiations with Korea
Update 8/15/07 - Here is a moving, must-read article: Back Home, Families Unite, Pray for Korean Hostages (HT: Eugene Cho) May we keep praying!
Wikipedia lists the names and birth years of the Korean hostages.
Update 8/14/07 - BBC video news (via YouTube). Eugene Cho comments on the Koreans taken hostage in Afghanistan and answers critics.
1. The more I learn about this group of people, the more I am amazed by them. They are ordinary people - like you and me - but they are also heroes. These are young men and women - most in their 20s and 3os, who didn’t have to go to Afghanistan. They chose to sacrifice their time and money; they chose to share their talents and resources; and they chose to go because
of their faith in Christ. As one of the family members of the hostages stated:
“Some say going to Afghanistan is reckless, but she went there because no one goes there to help.”
2. Christians are called to teach and preach the gospel - locally and globally. The past [and current] mistakes of the Church - lack of sensitivity, cultural imperialism, lack of contextual and incarnational understanding, and others - have been documented. For this group [to our knowledge], I very much appreciate that their sole agenda was NOT to coerce, manipulate, or force their belief system unto the people of Afghanistan. While it is VERY clear that they were Christians, it’s also very clear that their “mission” was to demonstrate the Gospel through care and compassion.
People are making the mistake of assuming that this hostage situation took place BECAUSE of these Korean Christians. They have suddenly become culprits and ceased to be the victims of a human rights violation.
3. Contrary to what critics initially stated or speculated, this group was prepared. Clearly, not perfectly prepared but they were prepared. They were traveling to Afghanistan because Saemmul Church had built a hospital in Afghanistan to provide care for the people of Afghanistan. This was not a shallow short term vacation. This group was going to continue to support the substantive investment this church had made through the hospital and through long term missionaries. In addition, the senior pastor of the church stated that the group - like other groups that the church sends out - had undergone training for six months in preparation for this trip.
Koreans have criticized this group. Others around the world have criticized this group. Even other Christians have criticized this group. While there might be aspects about this relief aid trip that can be criticized, people are missing the bigger picture. Here’s a group of people that through prayer, faith in Christ, and conviction have chosen to give of their lives to be a blessing to others - in the name of Christ.
That - for me - is a beautiful portrait of the gospel.
Me: I totally agree with Mr. Cho's comments.
Update 8/13/07 - Two women hostages released; The women, named as Kim Kyung Ja, 37, and Kim Ji Na, 32, were freed after South Korean officials met Taleban insurgents over the weekend.
Update 8/12/07 - It is now Day 24. The TimesOnline headlines its 8/13/07 update: Fear of Bloodbath Thwarts Efforts to Rescue Hostages. The news article goes on to say
South Korean officials have twice blocked rescue missions to free 21 of their countrymen held by Taleban rebels amid concerns that Afghan military action could spark a bloodbath.
On one occasion Afghan and US troops were mobilised and ready to storm the Taleban positions. Separately, Afghan secret police were ready to arrest the families of the Taleban commanders involved as a way of applying pressure. But Korean officials vetoed the plans over fears that they would cause more bloodshed.
It has also emerged that the driver of the bus transporting the evangelical Christians is suspected of tipping off the Taleban about their route and that negotiations with Afghan officials have been hampered by divisions among Taleban commanders. The bus driver has been arrested.
As to lack of MSM coverage in the United States, reader comments at Michelle Malkin's update make interesting points. One reader says:
"The silence from the MSM just amazes me. I guess since they can’t tie it directly to George Bush they have no interest."
And another says:
"I think there’s something else. Asians in general, meaning Koreans, Japanese and Chinese, are not, in the eyes of the left, proper minorities. After all they do not play the victim, but rather study and work hard and manage to get ahead."
Update 8/11/07 - 2nd Day of Face to Face Talks Between South Korean Delegation and Taliban. Some hopeful signals.
Update 8/9/07 - Eugene Cho remains a daily "must read" as he posts updates on the innocent Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan. He includes a recent video from families as they communicate, heart to heart, to the nation and people of Afghanistan. Michelle Malkin, bless her, keeps her readers abreast of developments. But where is the MSM? Nowhere to be found.
**
Eugene E. Cho, the Korean-American pastor whom I have cited several times in my own coverage of the Korean hostage situation in Afghanistan, today produced
the following post:
Update [August 8] The NY Times has a great article on the stories [a glimpse of the people] behind the story:
Seo Jeong-bae was not too worried when his daughter and son, both Christians, told him last month that they were going to Afghanistan on an aid mission to help children in the Islamic country.
His daughter had already traveled to Uzbekistan, India and Uganda for volunteer work. “Father, don’t worry,” she told her father, who is not a Christian. “We don’t proselytize. How can I? I can’t even speak the language.”
Mr. Seo supported his children’s trip because he knew what it was like to be a child growing up in a war-ravaged country; he was born in February 1950, four months before the outbreak of the Korean War.
“Whenever I saw those poor children on television, I thought of my own childhood,” he said. “I felt good and proud when my children left for Afghanistan.” [read full article]
Links: Military Option should be Last Resort [Yonhap News]; More About the Female Hostage SwapNew Appeal to Free Hostages [LA Times] [Al Jazeera];
My daily updating on this situation isn’t to convey that this is the MOST important issue in our world today. It is to simply convey that in the landscape of much that requires attention, compassion, justice and prayer, this is also one of them. In a conversation today, I asked the question, “What would the world be like if people pursued the convictions of their hearts?” In my life of paradox, contradictions, and hypocrisy, I am seeking to Love God and Love People.
This is something that goes on EVERY DAY and also calls our hearts, prayers, and passions. In many ways, I believe this is why the Korean Christian Relief Mission team from Saemmul Church went to Afghanistan: Not to evangelize Afghanistan with an Imperialistic Agenda but rather, the hope and grace of Christ demonstrated through the power and beauty of actions. And why the author of that blogpost, Kate, [a young 21 year college student, follower of Jesus, Quest attender, and QCafe barista], will be returning to Uganda with a few other Quest college students and a group of other Univ. of Washington students to pursue their convictions. Cynicism and hopelessness is not the answer. Hope has been given and so hope must be extended.
Click here for previous coverage on this blog.