Second Korean Hostage Killed
08.01.07 - 08:54am
Due to several close personal ties with the nation of South Korea, I have been following the story of the 23 Korean citizens kidnapped in Afghanistan with great concern.
Now a second hostage has been killed by the Taleban and unless there is a breakthrough in negotiations soon this terrible situation may get worse before it gets better. The Korean government has little influence with an Afghan government reluctant to cut another deal with the kidnappers after previous controversial prisoner exchanges.
While living in Seoul I encountered several Christians who were involved in the kind of dubious endeavours in Afghanistan which created the conditions for these young evangelicals to fall into the hands of the Taleban. There is no doubt that it was extraordinarily misguided for these inexperienced aid workers to enter such a dangerous and chaotic war zone against all advice but this should have no effect on our compassion for their plight.
“I’ve always found you can get further with a kind word and a gun, than you can with just a kind word”
Al Capone
I wonder how the Taliban would react if the South Korean government threatened to send 10,000 more troops unless the hostages are immediately released?
Well, my own view is there is a strong likelihood would laugh malevolently then kill all the hostages.
Which they may do anyway.
It’s tragic that the hostages were allowed to put themselves into such a vulnerable position, let’s hope that they are released; but then who can predict the intentions of an organisation that bans music.
Well, quite.