South Koreans react to missionary kidnappings

Some criticize the Christian aid workers for going to Afghanistan in spite of warnings.

from the July 27, 2007 edition

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The congregation that sent the group to Afghanistan now is recalling another 42 members on missions there and says it will not attempt to send more. Seoul, meanwhile, is sending a special envoy to Afghanistan to try to sort out differing demands for the hostages' release, including money, the release of Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government, and the withdrawal of 210 South Korean troops (mostly engineer and medical teams) before the year's end.

Koreans are far from certain their government should yield to the kidnappers' demands.

"Why should the government pay terrorists for the actions of a group of missionaries who knew they were doing wrong," asks Mr. Kim. "The Korean government should not negotiate with terrorists. Why should the government pay for their mistakes?"

The kidnapping also raises the issue of why South Korea sent troops to Afghanistan in the first place. The Taliban "should not punish Korean missionaries as prisoners of war – for a war that the United States and England began," says Lee Young Nam, another taxi driver, asking why Koreans "should suffer for the actions of the United States."

South Koreans have gathered in churches nationwide to pray for the hostages' release. Several hundred members of the hostages' Saemmul church have been holding overnight vigils, praying, singing, and weeping as they heard of the death of the pastor and new deadlines set by the kidnappers for the murder of others if demands are not met.

Some South Koreans have called for the church to reimburse the government if any ransom money is paid.

But in the Seoul newspaper Chungang Ilbo, commentator Lee Hoon Beom takes issue with those who have expressed antipathy toward what they see as the work of "overzealous Christians" working abroad. "Although they [the church group] made bad decisions, it is not right to condemn people who have a youthful passion to help their neighbors in pain. The Taliban are the fanatics. They don't hesitate to kidnap and kill innocent civilians," he writes.

And some South Koreans see the Rev. Bae as a martyr in a holy cause. "He's a great man of faith and prayer," says Kristen Suh, wife of the pastor of an evangelical church. "He was a pastor over the young people in his church and he is known for his passion for missions."

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun released a statement saying, "Murder of an innocent civilian can never be justified."

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