Female Korean Hostage Forfeited Freedom for Colleague
A Taliban militant said Wednesday that one of the hostages had foregone her chance of freedom to allow another captive who was more ill to be released.
by Michelle Vu, Christian Today Correspondent
Posted: Thursday, August 16, 2007, 8:43 (BST)
A Taliban militant said Wednesday that one of the hostages had foregone her chance of freedom to allow another captive who was more ill to be released.
The spokesman for Taliban commander Abdullah Jan, who only identified himself as Masoom, said he was unable to recall the name of the woman who sacrificed her freedom.
“Their names are very difficult to remember,” said Masoom to The Korea Times. “All names are alike with the difference of a few characters,” he said. “This is why we can’t remember them.”
Two female hostages were released Monday afternoon and were said to be in better health than earlier reported. The freed captives were identified as Kim Kyung-ja and Kim Ji-na, 37 and 32 years old, respectively.
Jan’s spokesman said that the Korean media should speak to the two released hostages who could provide the name of the woman who chose to stay behind.
Yousuf Ahmadi, who has represented the Taliban in most of the media phone interviews, said he did not know the name of the female hostage because he never met any of them, but Jan or his spokesman Masoom did because they were holding the captives.
The release of the two women Monday was the Taliban’s “goodwill gesture” towards the Korean people and officials after four days of face-to-face negotiations which began on August 10. Immediately following the breakthrough, however, no second round of in person talks were scheduled, with the Taliban explaining that negotiators on both sides were taking time to discuss the situation with their superiors.
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Added: Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 21:42 (BST)
Andrew you are incorrect... the story has been proven to be true since the release of all the remaining hostages.
Todd, Seattle
Added: Saturday, August 25, 2007, 15:34 (BST)
Andrew, according to Korean news source, the woman who gave up her place is Lee Ji-young. She even sent home a letter to her mom, and her mom said (at a press conference on Aug.24, not just a newspaper interview) that she is proud about Lee Ji-young's actions.
Co Ho, Orange County, CA (USA)
Added: Sunday, August 19, 2007, 10:56 (BST)
This story has been proven to be false. According to the two released hostages, they claimed since they were moved around so much by Taliban, they thought when they were asked to get into the car, they thought it was just another move. They were quoted of saying that they never dreamed that they were going to be relased until the last minute. That story contradict the abobe mentioned story since no one knew they were being relased. There is some speculation from many Koreans that the whole story about the generous hostage was fabricated by conservative Korean news paper Chosun Ilbo.
Andrew, LA, California USA
Added: Friday, August 17, 2007, 13:04 (BST)
Another wonderful story of the love of God which we have been talking about.My prayer is that the eyes of the Talibans will be opened to see that Christ died for them also.I believe that the Church in Korea will experience a mighty revival at the end of the day despite all negative comments.
ADEEKO OLUMIDE, IBADAN,NIGERIA.
Added: Thursday, August 16, 2007, 13:10 (BST)
What a beautiful act of love. May God have mercy on those other 19 hostages remaining - may he see them return home safely.
Jane, Luton, UK
