Taliban Intensity Mounts in Kidnapping Crisis
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
As the abduction of Korean hostages in Afghanistan citizens becomes increasingly protracted without any sign of progress, many are starting to experience the severe effects of stress.
Many criticize the brutality of the Taliban, blame the government for the lack of efforts to save the hostages and complain that the news media constantly gives provocative coverage.
``It's really sad to see the sufferings of the abductees and their families,'' Lee Jung-hwa, 23, a college student in Seoul, said. ``But at the same time, it's really stressful to see the tragic event every day.''
Lee Kyu-won, a 58-year-old office worker in Seoul, said the news media should be more careful in dealing with stories about the hostages and their families and keep a balance in news coverage on other issues.
``I know it is an important issue now. But there are also other important things that we should know. But it's like the news media competitively show the more shocking things only,'' he said.
Experts say exposure to the tragic incident over an extended period can cause severe stress.
``Some people feel as if they were an abductee or their family,'' said Kang Ung-gu, professor at Seoul National University Hospital. ``Repeated news stories over a long time can allow people to reduce the emotional distance from abductees or their families. It could lead some people to experience severe stress.''
But the psychiatrist said that too much uncertain information from media can lead many to a state of insecurity.
``As there is so much uncertain information, people can produce tragic and negative predictions easily. It could easily lead them to suffer from anxiety,'' he said.
But there are increasing concerns over the abductees' family members who are trying to cope as their relatives' lives are being threatened in Afghanistan.
Most of them are experiencing despair and panic following the execution of two hostages.
The families have had sleepless nights, skipping meals and gathering at the Saemmul Community Church in Bundang, south of Seoul.
They suffer from headaches and digestive disorders and some were hospitalized.
In case of emergency, a medical team from Sam Medical Center was dispatched to the church.
One of the doctors said that most family members suffer from digestive disorders and pains in the chest, due to concerns over their family members, and their health is deteriorating as the abduction draws out.