Taliban Families Hope for Safe Return
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The families of the Koreans abducted in Afghanistan Thursday appealed to the Taliban militants and Korean people for safe return of their beloved.
Seventeen family members gathered at the Korean Foundation for World Aid building in southern Seoul burst into tears when Je Mi-suk, sister of an abductee Je Chang-hee, began to read the written appeal that started with ``President Roh Moo-hyun, Afghanistan Ambassador to Korea, and President George Bush of the United States, we are families of the 23 people kidnapped in Afghanistan.''
``Our families visited there for volunteer work, and spent time treating patients and sharing their pain. Taliban militants, please consider our pain and sorrow,'' she read, entreating the abductors to return all hostages back to their families.
They have been in extreme anxiety since the death of Rev. Bae Hyung-kyu, who led the group of young parishioners of Saemmul Community Church, was confirmed early Thursday morning.
About 20 family members, who have watched the situation at the foundation building, lamented the death and are strained at the possible killings of more hostages.
Staying up all night since Wednesday, most of them could not keep themselves steady due to extreme fatigues, barely eating. Some of them had bad health condition, so a doctor visited the place Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Some families got enraged upon hearing the death, saying they trusted the government as it seemed to actively negotiate with the kidnappers and relieve the families' anxiety.
``We have trusted and followed the government about the negotiation 100 percent. But after Bae was killed, everyone is greatly shaken,'' said Cha Sung-min, brother of an abductee Cha Hye-jin and representative of the families of the hostages.
``As a representative, I've told them to follow the government. But with the bad news, I'm sorry for them and I don't know what to do now,'' he said.
They also had an interview on the Arabic satellite TV Al Jazeera and appealed for the hostages' safe return.
Citizens were also shocked at the news and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
An Internet user with the ID ``iaram'' said on Daum, ``Apart from religion, he is the one who put his belief into action. I wish he may rest in peace.''
Another netizen named ``garimm18'' said on Naver, ``It is so sad. I wish the rest of the hostages will return home safely, so that Bae's sacrifice will not be in vain.''
Some people asked netizens not to post malicious comments about the abductees, as some Internet users have denounced them for bringing danger upon themselves.
``Human life is the most important. Let's hope the rest of the hostages' safe return rather than blame them,'' said ID ``orangetree37.''
An Internet user with the ID ``kikipl'' denounced the government, saying, ``It is the loss of Korea's national image that the government could not save its national. The government should not commit the negotiation to the Afghan government but actively lead it.''