Korea Denounces Taliban Killing Of Second Hostage

July 31, 2007

Korea denounces killing of second hostage by Taliban militants

Cheong Wa Dae denounced Tuesday (July 31) the killing of a second Korean hostage in Afghanistan, threatening to take stern countermeasures in case of further killings of Korean captives by Taliban rebels.

Mother (left) of Shim Sung-min killed by Taliban, bursts into tears

In a statement, spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said the kidnappers were killing the hostages while demanding a hostages-for-prisoners deal which he said is beyond the ability of the Korean government.

Cheon said the Seoul government is seriously looking at the newest Taliban-set negotiation deadline of Wednesday afternoon (Korean Standard Time) and will mobilize all possible means to prevent the deaths of more hostages.

The Foreign Ministry earlier confirmed the death of the male hostage, 29-year-old Shim Sung-min.

"The kidnappers are demanding the release of prisoners in Afghan jails in exchange for Korean nationals. But this demand is not within the power of the Korean government because it doesn't have any effective means to influence decisions of the Afghan government," said the statement.

"The Korean government strongly condemns and urges an immediate end to these heinous acts of killing innocent people in order to press for demands that it can't meet... Kidnapping and killing innocent people can't be justified for any cause."

"The government is well aware of how the international community deals with these kinds of abduction cases. But it also believes that it would be worthwhile to use flexibility in the cause of saving the precious lives of those still in captivity and is appealing the international community to do so," said the statement.

The statement then made clear that the Korean government would not fail to react if any of the other hostages are killed.

"Two Koreans have been slain. Despite that, the government will continue to do all it can to secure the safe and speedy release of the remaining Korean hostages. But the government makes it clear that it will not tolerate any further acts of harming innocent Koreans and hold the perpetrators responsible."

However, Cheon stressed that the Seoul government remains unchanged in its opposition to any military operation meant to rescue the hostages, saying that dialogue should not be given up until the last moment.

The following is the official English text of a Korean government statement released by the office of President Roh Moo-hyun shortly after the Foreign Ministry's confirmation of the death of a second Korean hostage in Afghanistan on Tuesday (July 31).

Another Korean held hostage in Afghanistan was killed last night. The Korean Government is saddened by this tragic news and offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

The kidnappers are demanding the release of prisoners in Afghan jails in exchange for Korean nationals. But this demand is not within the power of the Korean Government because it doesn't have any effective means to influence decisions of the Afghan Government.

The Korean Government strongly condemns and urges an immediate end to these heinous acts of killing innocent people in order to press for demands that it can't meet.

The Korean hostages are not prisoners or criminals. They are civilians who went to Afghanistan for humanitarian work.

Kidnapping and killing innocent people can't be justified for any cause. The Government is well aware of how the international community deals with these kinds of abduction cases. But it also believes that it would be worthwhile to use flexibility in the cause of saving the precious lives of those still in captivity and is appealing the international community to do so.

Two Koreans have been slain. Despite that, the Government will continue to do all it can to secure the safe and speedy release of the remaining Korean hostages. But the Government makes it clear that it will not tolerate any further acts of harming innocent Koreans and hold the perpetrators responsible.

ENDS

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