By Yi Whan-woo
The government has joined the international community in denouncing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) over the murder of a Japanese national being held hostage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned ISIS, Tuesday, saying the country was shocked by the apparent beheading of Haruna Yukawa, 42, a self-employed security contractor.
He was one of two Japanese hostages ― the other is Kenji Goto, a 47-year-old journalist ― held by the militant jihadist group that has occupied one-third of both Syria and Iraq.
"The Korean government maintains a consistent view that civilian sacrifice by the acts of terrorism cannot be justified for any reason," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "We share the pain and grievances of the Japanese people. We hope the remaining hostage will be returned home safely."
The government's condemnation came after ISIS said Sunday on its radio service, al-Bayan, that it had killed Yukawa.
The extremists set a 72-hour deadline Tuesday for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to pay a $200 million ransom for the hostages. The deadline passed Friday.
Seoul previously kept mum over the incident after ISIS released unverified video footage Saturday of Goto holding a photo of Yukawa. The still picture included a recording of a voice claimed to be that of Goto, saying his captors were no longer demanding ransom but wanted a prisoner exchange. Yukawa's killing was announced in a video generally agreed to be credible, stunning Japan and the rest of the world.
"It is speculated the government is being cautious because a Korean national is believed to be in Syria seeking to join ISIS," said Seo Jeong-min, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies' Institute of Middle East Studies.
He was referring to a Korean teenager who went missing in Turkey this month. According to police, the 18-year-old, surnamed Kim, voluntarily crossed the border into Syria to join the terrorist group.
"Considering Kim is in the danger zone, it's crucial to take a prudent approach in releasing a statement to condemn ISIS," Seo said.
The U.N. Security Council (UNSC), the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Japan have condemned ISIS for killing Yukawa.
"It once again demonstrates the brutality of the ISIS group, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian and Iraqi people," the UNSC said Sunday.
U.S. President Barack Obama also condemned the "brutal murder" of Yukawa in a statement.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Japan. We will work together to bring the perpetrators of these murders to justice and will continue to take decisive action to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State," he said, referring to ISIS, which is also known as the Islamic State or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
British Prime Minister David Cameron slammed ISIS as well.
"The reported brutal murder of Haruna Yukawa and the further threats made by ISIL are yet another reminder of the murderous barbarity of these terrorists."
Abe said such an act of terrorism was "outrageous and unforgivable."
"I condemn it strongly and resolutely," he said, calling for the immediate freeing of Goto.
The government has joined the international community in denouncing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) over the murder of a Japanese national being held hostage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned ISIS, Tuesday, saying the country was shocked by the apparent beheading of Haruna Yukawa, 42, a self-employed security contractor.
He was one of two Japanese hostages ― the other is Kenji Goto, a 47-year-old journalist ― held by the militant jihadist group that has occupied one-third of both Syria and Iraq.
"The Korean government maintains a consistent view that civilian sacrifice by the acts of terrorism cannot be justified for any reason," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "We share the pain and grievances of the Japanese people. We hope the remaining hostage will be returned home safely."
The government's condemnation came after ISIS said Sunday on its radio service, al-Bayan, that it had killed Yukawa.
The extremists set a 72-hour deadline Tuesday for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to pay a $200 million ransom for the hostages. The deadline passed Friday.
Seoul previously kept mum over the incident after ISIS released unverified video footage Saturday of Goto holding a photo of Yukawa. The still picture included a recording of a voice claimed to be that of Goto, saying his captors were no longer demanding ransom but wanted a prisoner exchange. Yukawa's killing was announced in a video generally agreed to be credible, stunning Japan and the rest of the world.
"It is speculated the government is being cautious because a Korean national is believed to be in Syria seeking to join ISIS," said Seo Jeong-min, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies' Institute of Middle East Studies.
He was referring to a Korean teenager who went missing in Turkey this month. According to police, the 18-year-old, surnamed Kim, voluntarily crossed the border into Syria to join the terrorist group.
"Considering Kim is in the danger zone, it's crucial to take a prudent approach in releasing a statement to condemn ISIS," Seo said.
The U.N. Security Council (UNSC), the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Japan have condemned ISIS for killing Yukawa.
"It once again demonstrates the brutality of the ISIS group, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian and Iraqi people," the UNSC said Sunday.
U.S. President Barack Obama also condemned the "brutal murder" of Yukawa in a statement.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Japan. We will work together to bring the perpetrators of these murders to justice and will continue to take decisive action to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State," he said, referring to ISIS, which is also known as the Islamic State or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
British Prime Minister David Cameron slammed ISIS as well.
"The reported brutal murder of Haruna Yukawa and the further threats made by ISIL are yet another reminder of the murderous barbarity of these terrorists."
Abe said such an act of terrorism was "outrageous and unforgivable."
"I condemn it strongly and resolutely," he said, calling for the immediate freeing of Goto.
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