``Afghanlove’’

Further Killings Will Trigger Extreme Wrath From Korea, World

The tired voice of Im Hyun-joo, a South Korean female hostage taken by the Taliban militants, broadcast on U.S. television network CBS Thursday night, sent the people into another grief. The 32-year-old nurse-turned-volunteer was appealing for help to save them from their dreadful condition.

The Taliban appear to have arranged the interview in a premeditated tactic to step up pressure on the Korean and Afghan governments, thus gain the upper hand in the lingering negotiations. During an exclusive interview with The Korea Times, purported Taliban spokesman said their only demand is for the Afghan government to release an equal number of Taliban prisoners. Qari Yousaf Ahmadi also threatened Korean captives will be killed one by one unless their demands are met.

But the spokesman's threat is not proper at all and further killing of Korean hostages will trigger extreme anger from people around the world, especially Koreans. The militants used the television interview for propaganda purposes to create an atmosphere favorable to them. But they should refrain from any other cruel treatment of the captives.

Despite lingering criticism of the Koreans over their excessive religious activities in the war-torn nation, the captors should admit that they were visiting for mainly humanitarian purposes with love for Afghanistan in their hearts. Im herself has long aspired for charity activities in the nation, making the most of her career as nurse. Her affection for the nation was so deep that she made the email address of ``afghanlove.'' Im invited an Afghan girl to Korea to provide her with artificial limbs.

As already reported, pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, who was killed by the militants, had been a benevolent and good-willed man with deep faith in God. According to his wish, his family decided to donate his remains to science _ practice of love beyond death. He lived an exemplary life as preacher, extending charity for less privileged people along with his wife, who also donated her marrow to a patient. Beside Bae, all young Koreans are promising people with pure hearts and sincerity for volunteerism.

Any further killing will surely trigger unbearable repercussions from Korea and the world. The Korean government has been exerting all possible efforts to prevent unfortunate scenarios by sending high-level officials to the site, for instance.

The government needs to focus on saving the hostages at all costs, in close cooperation with the Afghan and U.S. governments for more efficient negotiations toward that end. The U.S. government, for its part, is also asked to be more positive in resolving the issue. We understand that it faces a dilemma in dealing with the matter. It cannot easily accept the Taliban's demand for the release of the prisoners yet cannot ignore the need to save the hostages. But as the Taliban demonstrated their cruelty once again, it needs to roll up its sleeves to resolve the case. It is the best way for it to avoid possible criticism in the event of a disastrous scenario.