South Korean Christian hostage crisis: America-bashers exploit the ordeal
Chosun spotlights the South Korean versions of Cindy Sheehan who are blaming America for the crisis. Yes, they are blaming us and lambasting our War on Terror efforts–while at the same time demanding that we intervene and Do Something to stop the jihadists from slaughtering the S. Korean Christian missionairies:
Some politicians and civic groups in Korea are starting to hold the U.S. responsible for the two-week-old hostage crisis in Afghanistan with remarks that seem designed to stir up simmering anti-American sentiment here.
At a meeting of the Uri Party on Wednesday, Rep. Park Chan-suk said, “The root cause of the hostage crisis lies in our dispatch of troops to Afghanistan. While the Koreans are suffering, the U.S. stands firm on the principles. It’s irresponsible and it’s a betrayal of one of its allies.” Uri Chairman Chung Se-kyun said, “The U.S. should not remain a mere bystander.”
Well, it appears we aren’t going to do anything. Moonbats abroad will be pleased:
In talks in Manila earlier in the day, South Korea and the United States ruled out the possibility of military operations to secure the release of the South Koreans, a South Korean Foreign Ministry official said.
South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte discussed the hostages on the sidelines of the security conference, he said.
“The two sides ruled out the possibility of military operations and placed a top priority on safely resolving the issue by mobilizing all means,” the official quoted Song as saying after the meeting. He asked not to be named, citing the sensitivity of the issue.
“The United States is not preparing military operations,” he quoted Song as saying.
The latest from Yonhap:
The foreign ministers of 26 countries participating in a major regional security forum here on Thursday strongly condemned the Taliban for killing two South Korean hostages in Afghanistan and called for the immediate release of 21 others still in captivity.
“The foreign ministers of the participating countries of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) express our solidarity with the people and government of the Republic of Korea and condemn the hostage taking of their nationals in Afghanistan,” the ministers said in a joint statement, referring to South Korea by its official name.
They also deplored “in the strongest terms” the brutal murder of two hostages — Bae Hyung-kyu, the 42-year-old leader of the group that was seized on July 19, and 29-year-old former IT worker Shim Sung-min.
“We express the hope that the hostages and their families will find the strength to face this ordeal, while at the same time expressing the hope that they will soon be reunited,” the statement said.
“Expressing hope” and “concern” (a la the United Nations) ain’t cutting it.
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Trackbacks
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Categories: South Korean Christian hostages
Pundit & Pundette
» Obama's drop in popularity and Michelle's handbag controversy
Pundit & Pundette
» Is the tide turning?Riehl World View
» The Three Stooges Now Appearing At HuffPoPatterico
» Democrats Attack the CIATigerHawk
» The Blue Dogs are barkingRiehl World View
» Classless Paid Sarah Palin Assassin Mike Murphy (R)Weekly Standard
» Anchor Men
That’ll have the Taliban quaking in their caves.
The South Korean youths are very Anti-American and bought the North Korean propaganda that it was the US fault that North Korea is suffering from famine and the split between North and South. It saddens me that elders in the South Korea know the truth about the US and how we protect them from the Communist regime during the Korean War. I’m afraid there won’t be any more elders around to teach the misguided youth in South Korea the truth.
Now where are these so called moderate Muslims I keep hearing about on TV? They need to stand up and take back your religion from these murdering savages and if they don’t. They will share the blame from the consequences by the actions of the murdering savages when we decided to nuke Mecca back to the Stone Age.
I hate to say this, but time all Christians get out of all Muslim countries. Let them boil in their own hell.
I am beginning to believe that Christians aren’t safe anywhere.
Even in this country we are quickly losing our rights. We are labeled as crazy and fanatical.
Yep. If the Democrats get their way and we pull out, they’d better have transport for the Iraqi Christians and others who’ll be caught up in the civil war.
Oh, wait…that’s right. They’re just Christians, so it doesn’t really matter…does it? The more killed by terrorists, the fewer the liberals and Democrats have to worry about pandering to in the next election.
I don’t know, Zone. I guess we’re just supposed to believe they exist…like a Democrat who’s actually a Christian. We just have to take their word for it.
Wait, I think I am missing something. Weren’t you (MM) saying we, meaning the US, should do something about this? Does that mean you hate the US? So when South Koreans do it they’re “haters?”
Yes Mike, I agree. You are missing somthing. I suggest you start looking for it.
Mike, I believe the issue here is the fact they are “CHRISTIANS”, not the country of origin.
Once again you have nothing. Some friends and relatives in Korea want America to do more, as you have been calling for since this happened. Your “moonbats” are conservative Christians.
Is it time that we in the Christian world start taking some notes from the muslim playbook? I know its awful, but going out and holding mass protest rallies, burning cars and making death threats against people who disagree with you seems to work with those on the left as apposed to tring to reason with them.
Look at whats going on at Pace University or in Michigan state colleges (building muslim footbaths with public money at a state school). The libs have taught muslims that using violence to get your way works. Is it a lesson we as Christians need to learn?
Something to think about when considering buying things made by Hyundai, Samsung, LG, Kia, etc. They have very influential Leftist groups in SK well placed in the SK public school system, media, and universities that have unfortunately indoctrinated much of the SK youth against America, and the liberal governments of Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo-hyun have exploited it. They’ll use any excuse to bash America. We need to use our economic clout more to put an end to it.
However, the Christians in Korea are some of America’s best friends, so we should be praying for their release.
MikeB- It is pretty evident that MM is criticizing Leftists who exploit this situation to bash America. The Taliban are the ones who kidnapped the Koreans, not us. She is critizing those who say we are responsible for the crisis. How is this not obvious?
I was dropped by helicopter in the boonies of South Korea on an escape and evasion exercise back in the early 1980s, simulating a downed airman. Me and the pararescue guy who was dropped with me lasted about a half hour and got only a few hundred yards before the ROKs (Republic of Korea army) caught us. The local village children were amazingly well organized and had efficiently tracked us and brought a patrol from the nearest ROK encampment to capture us.
We immediately showed them our Team Spirit (the name of the annual joint US-South Korean exercise) cards that said in English and Korean: Don’t hurt us. the South Koreans beat up their own people caught in exercises just for the practice.
While the hard ass Korean lieutenant got on the radio to HQ to figure out what to do with us, the enlisted guys lined up. I was amazed while we were standing there facing them that some of the privates were talking down South Korea in what simple English they could muster.
I read that the Communists have taken over the teaching posts in the universities in South Korea and created a much worse situation with leftist bias than we could ever imagine here in the US. They and the media are actively propagandizing against the US, spinning history to favor North Korea.
Perhaps a year ago, there was a big demonstration to remove a statue of General Douglas MacArthur in Inchon, led by leftists who called it a symbol of colonialism and imperialism. It was stopped by pro-US Koreans of the older generation who point out that MacArthur liberated South Korea twice and stopped it from becoming a communist society. Now it is guarded around the clock by police.
It is not surprising at all that leftists would take the side of Taliban fanatics holding their own people hostage and murdering them one by one and use the event to slander America. In the leftist’s minds, the enemy of America is my friend.
MikeB:
The way I interpreted MM saying that “we” should do something about this was that we should because we have the ability and not that we should do it because we were the cause.
Ok, Gregory, I think we can all agree that the US did not take the hostages.
However, MM was ridiculing Barack’s manhood yesterday for wanting to re-deploy troops from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Shouldn’t she support that policy?
More on #14, the point is we didn’t finish the job in Afghanistan, we cut and run and we didn’t stay the course. If we did, the Taliban would not have been able to be reborn and reorganized and powerful. Why doesn’t MM ever say anything about that?
MikeB:
I know the news doesn’t cover it, but we DO still have troops in Afghanistan.
As for Obama - his deployment of troops to Pakistan was nothing more than a play to show the world he’s more manly than Hillary. Do you seriously think he’d keep that promise? Do you seriously think the moonbat, peacenik left would let him?
Terrorism is not in some neat little package, MikeB. Terrorists play dirty, and they’re EVERYWHERE. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan. America. They don’t wear uniforms, they don’t go where we want them to and sit and wait for us to arrive.
The Talibans’ Ambassador to the United Nations, could not be reached for comment.
I agree with you that terrorists are everywhere. Except, AQ wasn’t in Iraq until we invaded. AQ was headquartered in Afghanistan, but we let them off the hook. We had enough troops to do the job there, but we redeployed them to Iraq. And, yes, I believe Barack would do what he said about going into Pakistan. It’s too bad the moonbat, peacenik left couldn’t keep us out of Iraq, isn’t it?
The whole thing about entering Pakistan without permission was just ridiculous. It’s already been said and I think MM made herself clear, at least I thought she did, that we do not want to upset one of the only allies we have in that region…especially when they have nukes. It would be counter-productive and Obama was naive to think otherwise. He’s just showing how green he really is.
Ahhhh, Korea and the Dimocrats blame America.
MikeB blames Michelle.
lgm blames conservative Christains.
All is right with the world!
The world yawns about this hostage situation because the global war on terror is looked at as a law enforcement issue and not a world struggle against Islamic sharia. The left in this country is too concerned with their own political aspirations that their willing to mask the war on terror with political correctness, imaginary torture, and a so called unjust war in Iraq. The left in this country knows if the hostage situation were to take over the headlines, they would loose votes in the upcoming election because the dems are weak on the war.
How can you be so sure that Al-Qaeda wasn’t in Iraq prior to 9/11? I mean, if they were HERE on 9/11 why is it so hard to believe that they would be in a country whose dictator hated us?
What are you talking about Mike…cut and run? We never left. Did you not know we have thousands of troops in Afghanistan right now fighting the talibs there? Do you not know that half of these butchers hide out in Waziristan which is actually in Pakistan? We get it. You hate Bush and do not support the Iraq war. Fine. Before you start accusing people of being hypocrites though, learn some facts first.
Iraq:
Women working and going to school. Little girls going to school. Lions lying with lambs – complete pandemonium!
I’m feeding the troll only once today….
MikeB# 18
If you say there was no AQ in Iraq and still support Obama your wrong. Let’s assume your right about no AQ in Iraq. Well, if we had invaded our nuclear capable ally Pakistan, then AQ would have pulled together and ended up in Pakistan instead of Iraq. Then you would have been complaining that President Bush has not done anything about the Dictator Saddam H. Obama’s future invasion of Pakistan is irrational because we need them to get to places in Afghanistan.
It’s just not that complicated. These people are murders and thugs. They have no compassion for human beings whether they be Christian or Muslim, young or old, Anglo or Arab.
I remember listening to Rush speak about how the left insist al queda was never in Iraq:
They were in Afghanistan, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Great Britian, United States; but never in Iraq
Imagine the roles reversed: A pack of militant Christians capture a group of peaceful Muslims and start executing them until Saudi Arabia stops funding Wahaabi madrassas.
How long before Christianity is ruled a terrorist ideology by the UN and outlawed and/or persecuted (more) around the world; held in deeper contempt than even Mormonism or Scientology?
Oooooh, that’s an excellent observation. Someone should ask Obama about this point. (Note that I said “should ask”, not “will ask”.)
Do these South Korean Sheehanistas know why we are even in Afghanistan? If I recall correctly, we entered Afghanistan sometime after September 10, 2001.
pspdint@pspd.org
Alright ladies and gentlemen, the above link is the contact e-mail address for the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy in South Korea. It good making our thoughts known here on Michelle’s site (thanks Michelle). Nevertheless, I fell it’s important, and in some ways, obligatory to let you thoughts be heard as American citizens to those who deliberately defame and denigrate our country for their own political and financial gain. A CAVEAT: FOR THOSE WHO DO WRITE TO THE ORGANIZATION, PLEASE BE CANDID BUT SIMULTANEOUSLY RESPECTFUL. USING COARSE OF DISPARAGING LANGUAGE ONLY PLAYS INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO HATE AMERICA. TAKE THEM DOWN WITH HARD HITTING FACTS NOT AD HOMINEM VITRIOL. BELOW IS A COPY OF THE TEXT OF MY E-MAIL TO THEM FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED. YES, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WONDERING, THIS IS COMING FROM A BERKELEY STUDENT. NOT ALL OF US ARE CRAZY :):
It’s strange how you seem to be directing your anger more at the United
States than those whose kidnapped your compatriots. It’s absolutely
sickening and I condemn you for trying to use this situation as an
expedient cause to push your asinine anti-Americanism. Since you seem to
conveniently forget why the United States is in Afghanistan, derisively
terming it “occupation”, let me remind you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDh_pvv1tUM
Over 3,000 of my countrymen were murdered by a terrorist organization that
was sheltered and offered succor by the Taliban regime of Afghanistan and
I STRONGLY CONDEMN YOU FOR DISPARAGING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AMERICAN
MILITARY AND THE ARMED FORCES OF EACH COUNTRY (INCLUDING YOUR OWN) WHO
HAVE RISKED THEIR LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISLODGE A VIOLENT
RADICAL ISLAMIC REGIME THAT CONSIDERED WOMEN TO BE CHATTEL, THAT JAILED
MEN FOR NOT FOLLOWING THEIR INTERPRETATION OF ISLAM, AND IS CURRENTLY
HOLDING 21 OF YOUR COMPATRIOTS CAPTIVE FOR NO REASON ALONG WITH BEING
GUILTY OF CALLOUSLY MURDERING TWO OTHERS.
The United States has no one to apologize to for our involvement in
Afghanistan in defense of our country, especially a reprehensible group
who seems to believe that George Bush represents more of a threat to the
Republic of Korea and its citizens than Kim Jong Il and now the Taliban.
THE TALIBAN IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIVES OF THE
INNOCENT SOUTH KOREANS BEING HELD IN AFGHANISTAN; NOT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT,
NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, AND DEFINITELY NOT A NAIVE,
BUT PHILANTHROPIC CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION THAT SENT THESE CHILDREN THERE TO
SERVE THEIR FELLOW MAN.
I agree with you on one point: American troops should withdraw from the
Korean peninsula. I do not want American men and women in uniform to risk
their live to defend those who would spit at them. I agree, you should be
responsible for your own defense and if North Korea were to invade South
Korea, the consequences would be completely yours. Don’t call us…
remember we’re the “imperialists” and “occupiers”…
Well it appears that Mike’s medication may be wearing off. lgm #9 is low on facts. It should be apparant that the photos of the protests don’t reflect actually how many there are. Much like the manipulation of our press trying to make everyone think that the entire populous is behind a specific movement when actually it is only a fringe group.
S Korea has one of the largest and fastest growing Christian movements in Asia and they aren’t keeping it to themselves. These people weren’t ignorant of the risks involved in taking the love of Christ to a war torn muslim country. They may have received some overly optimistic security information or made a wrong choice based on information they had. Or there may be some spies in the machinery that tipped off the group looking for such a soft target. Needless to say they have their tails in a crack and need the prayers of all. I know God will be glorified by the outcome even if it doesn’t turn out the way we all would like to see it go. But rest assured that when these Taliban meet the Korean’s God (not allah) they will have a long time to remember their evil choices.
Looks like Amnesty International is finally getting involved (glad it wasn’t urgent or anything):
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070803/ap_on_re_as/afghanistan
Thank you very much for the heads-up to a fine UC Berkeley scholar, and below was my effort. I should hope that some others in Mrs. Malkin’s community could do very much better, and perhaps get through to some of the young people there! The Korean preface was by way of juxtaposing two great heroes of Korean history with two of the foremost appeasers of today.
이순신…대조영
한국대장부 몇 시쯤 서시겠어요?
넘겨씩사람 몇 시쯤 앉시겠어요?
노무현…정동영
Crime and …Appeasement …or Punishment: Will the Real Korea Stand Up? Will criminals and criminal combinations be made to regret the day they assaulted the gentle sons and daughters of Korea, who as humble visitors to Afghanistan only sought to bring comfort to those in need?
Such foreigners as have seen the mettle of real Koreans, seen especially the mothers and grandmothers of today’s privileged young people of Seoul and elsewhere, know what a real Korean is worth! Through their lives of selflessness and self-sacrifice day-in and day-out, these women and their husbands made possible the miracle of today’s free Korea, and contributed much of what is good in America too!
May the present generation of Koreans, though distracted by material abundance, blame criminals for crime, not blame Korea’s friends. Here is a most heart-felt prayer that Korea’s best sons and daughters will soon be released from their captors and return safely to their families.
안녕히계세요! -Rand Millár