Taliban release Korean hostages

Korean hostages held by the Taliban since last month, have been released, reportedly freed in the eastern district of the Ghazni province, Andar. Keep in mind, these were Christian aide workers, who went to Afghanistan to help the people.

They were handed over to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross and were in “very good condition of health.” [snip]

... direct talks resumed on Tuesday after ten days of incertitude and provided a breakthrough when the militants agreed to set free all South Koreans if Seoul withdraws its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2007 and ends aid campaigns in the country by August 31.

The South Korean government gave green light for the Afghanistan pullout before the abduction took place on July 19 and pledged to stop all missionaries and tourists from travelling to the conflict-torn country.

The Taliban said all hostages will be released in the following days because they are divided in groups and held in different locations.

Some will argue that the Koreans were in Afghanistan to convert the people to Christianity. Their mission was to help the people, and in the process of doing that work I have no doubt they would try to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's what Christians do, we SHARE the message. We don't FORCE anyone to convert, we don't IMPOSE religion on anyone. (Unlike some other religion practiced by the majority of Afghans.)

In return for the Korean generosity, they were captured, held against their will, and some of them were killed. What these people experienced while in captivity ... we may never know. God bless them.

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Comments

[Jack]

I hope that they are truly free. But I have to agree, that I question the wisdom of their having gone at this time.

[Rastaman]

Looks like the South Koreans realized that they don't belong in unsecured areas. No wonder people keep getting kidnapped if they keep jumping the gun and rushing in before it's safe to be there. All they do is make the soldiers jobs a lot harder by trying to protect these well meaning intruders at the same time they're trying to protect the natives and themselves. The natives know where not to go but the proselytizers and aid workers don't.