By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
After the storm comes the calm: Two hostages released by Taliban militants in Afghanistan last year tied the knot Saturday at Saemmul Church in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province.
Song Byeong-woo and Lim Hyun-ju were married with some 400 family members and friends present. Also there, were the 19 fellow hostages in the Afghanistan drama.
While already working in the country as a volunteer, Lim joined the church's missionary team when it arrived there last July. During the kidnapping that shook the world, her voice was broadcast throughout asking for help through American broadcaster CBS.
Song was reportedly injured during the abduction when he tried to protect the female captives.
According to churchgoers, the two were already an item before they left for Afghanistan. During their first four days together in abduction, the two relied on each other. Their subsequent release brought them closer together and the two set their hearts on starting a family, sources said.
Rev. Park Eun-jo of the church who married them, said the marriage was driven by the love of God. ``Always put in mind that God has loved you to save you from the death. Be faithful to each other just as the Lord was,'' he said.
A group of 23 Christian volunteers were held hostage by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan on July 19 2007. It took 43 days for the Taliban to release all the hostages, after two men were shot dead by the militants.
The incident raised questions on the government's direct negotiation with terrorists and the probable ransom given to the terrorists. Christians' evangelical activities overseas, particularly in Islamic countries, were also criticized.