SOUTH KOREA: Nineteen newly-freed South Koreans return home after hostage ordeal in Afghanistan

Nineteen newly-freed South Korean hostages returned home on Sunday (September 2) after a six-week kidnap drama in Afghanistan and were greeted by tearful family members. The plane carrying the Christian volunteers, part of a group of 23 who were kidnapped in mid-July arrived at Incheon International Airport amidst a media frenzy and tight security. "We went to Afghanistan to practice sharing love. However, we were kidnapped accidentally, and caused the whole country to worry. We also apologize to the government," said 53-year-old Lyu Kyung-sik, one of the hostages, soon after getting off the plane. "We have in mind that all of us returned from the verge of death and we will live on and try to meet the expectations of our fellow citizens," he added. Bae Shin-kyu, brother of Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, who was a leader of the volunteers and the first to be killed by the Taliban appeared with the hostages, holding a photograph of his brother. "As a family member of the hostages' leader, I'm very sorry for causing troubles for our fellow citizens," said Bae. The representative of the hostages' families also made a statement. "We've been going through such a hard time, but thank you all for encouraging us. We promise to return all the love that we got from you," said Cha Sung-min a family member of one of the hostages. The former hostages were quickly taken to a hospital near Seoul where many collapsed into the arms of waiting relatives, who cheered when the group entered a reception room. They were then admitted for medical checks. South Korean citizens varied their ideas on the return of the hostages. Most of them welcomed their fellow citizens returned to home, saying the value of person's life is the priority. "There may be some criticism from the international society, but still, a person's life is most important. The South Korean government did a good job although to prevent repetitions, I think a clear line should be made on the right demand compensation," said 45-year-old Shin Dong-in. Some are worried that what if South Korean churches are still pursuing dangerous missionary works, which will bring negative public sentiment. "First of all, I personally feel relived that they returned healthy after going though long-term hardships. Although after reading newspaper articles, I found out some missionary work and I feel that's quite unreasonable. It is possible for South Korean people to have negative sentiment towards that," said 29-year-old Goh Hyun-hee. A senior Taliban leader told Reuters the South Korean government had paid 20 million U.S. dollars for the release of the Christian volunteers. South Korea's presidential Blue House denied paying any ransom but has already come under criticism for negotiating with the kidnappers. Taliban insurgents kidnapped 23 South Koreans in mid-July. It killed two male hostages as initial negotiations stumbled and last month released two women captives. The hostages, mostly women, had flown from Dubai where there had stopped on route home from Afghanistan. They have spoken of living in constant fear for their lives and were split up into small groups and shuttled around the Afghan countryside to avoid detection. The South Korean government said it only agreed pull out a small contingent of engineers and medical staff and end South Korean missionary work in the war-torn country in return for the release of the hostages.

ITN Source | September 2, 2007

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