Families Suffer From Trauma
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Professors and experts said families of 23 Koreans taken hostage in Afghanistan last Thursday will be exposed to the same mental trauma as the abductees even if they are safely released.
The family members of the hostages are another victim of the tragedy as the negotiation gets longer and the stress is becoming graver, they said Wednesday.
The families have gathered at the Korean Foundation for World Aid building in Seocho-dong, Seoul everyday, waiting news to arrive.
Lee Do-hee, who runs a neuropsychiatry clinic, said that they are under severe stress that puts them in an awakened status, but since they are very vulnerable, they could break down with little provocation.
``After a while, they might have repeated memories of trauma that can haunt them,'' he said.
However, it seems that what devastates them is not only the danger exposed to their family members but also people's harsh criticism toward their beloved ones.
After the news of their being kidnapped by Taliban militia, not everyone showed concern and encouragement.
Some criticized them for going to places where the government strongly requested not to visit. Some people criticized the church for sending them, for the sake of a ``missionary trip.''
The criticism was unbearable to many family members. The family members asked the press to be cautious for a while, not to provoke any more criticism insulting the families.
The hostage families rushed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade asking the government for information regarding the Taliban's requirements, but they had to make an apology statement to the nation for their family members having raised concerns with the decision to go unassisted to Afghanistan.
Still many Internet users did not stop the criticism and some of them posted bad information in English to share it with foreigners, too. Even Cheong Wa Dae had to ask the netizens to refrain from posting criticism online for the families' sake.
Lee Do-hee advised that what the family needs at the moment is warm-hearted encouragement with gentle voice.
Meanwhile, the health status of the hostages is becoming the main concern as the Taliban was said to have considered releasing eight Koreans including sick ones.
Prof. Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University's criminal psychology department said that as the abduction becomes drawn-out, the hostages can be well aware of the fact that the negotiation is having some setbacks, which causes fear and might experienced breakdowns.
``If they are separate from each other as is reported, it is likely that some of them create imaginary situations of others being harmed and they may become panicked,'' she added.
But she also believes the abductees may have helped each other remain in stable condition as they are all the same religion. The solidarity may help them overcome fears and make a little community of their own.
Many believe there is little chance of the Taliban militia actually harming the abductees.
Pyo Chang-won, professor of Korea National Police University, said that there is no reason for the kidnappers to harm the hostages as they are sure about what they want _ to regain power in the country.
``If they harm foreigners without good reason, they may lose their reputation in the country,'' he said.
Prof. Kim Se-ju of Yonsei University's Severance Hospital said that the kidnappers might express their hatred of foreigners. ``But as time goes by, the hard feeling will fade.''