Pastor: Korean Hostage was Killed for Refusing to Convert to Islam
The youth pastor who was leading the group of 23 South Korean aid volunteers in Afghanistan was killed for refusing to convert to Islam, the head pastor of the church revealed after the final 19 former hostages arrived home.
by Eric Young, Christian Today Correspondent
Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 8:43 (BST)
Although Park had heard that some of the female hostages were in danger of being raped, he said they were able to "overcome the crisis" through strong resistance.
Furthermore, at least two male hostages were beaten or threatened with death when they refused to leave behind female hostages, according to hospital chief Cha.
While all the men were said to have fully recovered and now show no external signs of their beating, Cha reported that six or seven female hostages show symptoms of insomnia and depression and continue to worry about their lives even after returning to Korea. Moreover, some of the patients are still suffering from shock after hearing about the deaths of two of their male colleagues.
The hospital chief predicts that the former hostages will need about two weeks of treatment.
More reports on the freed hostages' six-week ordeal have been emerging since the release of the final 19 aid workers - 14 women and five men - last week and their safe return to their homeland on Sunday.
The original group of 23 Korean Christian volunteers were kidnapped by Taliban militants on July 19 while on their way to provide free medical aid to poor Afghans. Over the course of their 40-day captivity, the rebels killed two men and freed two women before releasing the last groups of hostages last Wednesday and Thursday.
To free the remaining hostages, South Korea promised to ban Korean missionaries from Afghanistan and pledged to pull out its 210 troops by the end of the year - a move it was already planning to make prior to the hostage crisis.
Ally countries such as Canada, Germany and Afghanistan have publicly criticised Seoul for negotiating with the Taliban - which they consider a terrorist group - and seemingly giving into them.
Christian Today reporter Michelle Vu and Christian Today Korea correspondent Lee Dae-won in Seoul contributed to this report.
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, September 14, 2007, 11:00 (BST)
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Malak69, EGYPT
Added: Thursday, September 6, 2007, 6:21 (BST)
Re: Pastor: Korean Hostage was Killed for Refusing to Convert to Islam--OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY
Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 36-40 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
E. T. , Dallas, TX
Added: Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 16:43 (BST)
John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no
man cometh unto the father, but bt Me. Our dearest Pastor, and Brother
in Christ held on to this promise. I am so BLESS that they show the world
whom is their True Living GOD!!!! What Crowns awaits them, Glory be to GOD...
Jenet Martinez, S.I., N.Y.
Added: Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 15:59 (BST)
You see, Islam is a religion of peace, which is something our South Korean adventurers are have trouble understanding.
Don't focus on the endless raping & head-chopping. The Taliban let (most of) these folks leave with their skin in tact, and this is the 'thanks' they get?!?
How Islamophobic. How insensitive. For shame.
Tim, Norfolk, Virginia U.S.A.
