Deaths in Yemen
More Efforts Needed to Better Protect Korean Travelers
It is a tragedy that a South Korean woman and other foreign aid workers were found to have been killed in Yemen, reportedly by rebels or terrorists. The Korean victim, identified as 34-year-old Eom Young-sun, had been missing since Friday when she went on a picnic in Saada, northern Yemen, with eight other foreigners from Germany and Britain.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the killings. But the Yemeni government said that the victims were presumed to have been abducted by local insurgents or terrorists, possibly al-Qaida. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade disclosed that the bodies of three women were found on Monday, adding that one of them has been confirmed to be that of Eom. The fate of six others missing including two children has yet to be confirmed.
We cannot but express shock and anger at the incident. Those held responsible for the murder should realize that their act was a heinous crime against humanity. How could they kill those innocent people belonging to the World Wide Services Foundation, an international medical assistance group? They were there to come to the aid of poor and sick Yemenis. They must have been so courageous and perseverant that they would risk their lives in the rebel-infested area. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. May they rest in peace!
Yemen, the poorest nation in the Middle East, is home to restive tribes and a Shiite rebellion. Yemen is also recognized as a center of militant activity by al-Qaida and other extremists. Especially, the country is known as the ancestral homeland of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, whose group has carried out a number of terrorist attacks on Western tourists.
The tragedy followed a March 15 terrorist bomb attack on four South Korean tourists in the historic city of Shibam, about 90 kilometers east of the Yemeni capital Sanna. All the tourists were killed in the bombing, which was allegedly plotted by al-Qaida members. It is regrettable that South Koreans have increasingly become the target of militants and terrorists in the conflict-torn Middle East.
In 2004, Kim Sun-il, a translator for an Iraq-based Korean trading firm, was kidnapped and murdered by militants. In 2007, Afghanistan's Taliban rebels abducted 23 Christian voluntary workers from South Korea. The hostage drama saw two of the abducted lose their lives. Terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Travelers and aid workers should refrain from visiting dangerous and dispute-ravaged countries around the world. Avoiding troubled destinations would be the best way of ensuring personal security and safety. The Foreign Ministry has already issued a travel warning for Yemen and other Arab countries, but this step is not enough. Bolder measures should be taken to better protect Korean nationals traveling abroad. And it is necessary for South Korea to actively join international efforts to fight against terrorism.