By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The families of the 21 released hostages refuted a news report that the hostages were raped by Taliban militants in their captivity, which made the government more eager to make an agreement.
American broadcaster ABC Saturday reported that ``the negotiations took on urgency after two female hostages who were released last month reported being repeatedly raped by their Taliban captors,'' naming an Afghan official as the source.
However, according to Rev. Park Eun-jo of Saemmul Church who visited the returnees Sunday to conduct a religious service for them, said to the press that there were rape threats, but they were never put into action.
Park said that women were especially forced to convert to Islam and threatened that they'd be raped if they didn't. ``But they all refused to do so, and the male teammates tried to defend them,'' he said.
The families said they will take legal action against the report, if needed.
Meanwhile, the families visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Monday to express gratitude to the minister and staff for their dedication in saving their loved ones.
At the meeting, Minister Song Min-soon said the government had done its best to save all 23, but was deeply sorry that two had lost their lives. He also asked the families to help the released family members recover from their mental shock and trauma soon.
Kwak Ock-gang, mother of Yu Jung-hwa, gave him 23 roses and a thank you letter. Seo Jeong-bae, father of Seo Myung-hwa and Seo Kyung-seok, said ``I first had hard feelings toward the government when the two got killed; but now I just thank all people who have worried about us.''
The minister, however, said that the tragedy shows that each Korean must look after his or her own safety. He said Korea is a big and well-known country, but many people tend to forget how to behave as Koreans abroad.
The family members of late Rev. Bae Hyung-kyu and late Shim Sung-min, who were both killed by the Taliban militants, did not attend the meeting.