Michelle Malkin » Breaking: Two South Korean Christian hostages freed

Breaking: Two South Korean Christian hostages freed

By Michelle Malkin • August 13, 2007 11:17 AM

Two women among the 23 South Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban in mid-July were freed Monday on a rural Afghan roadside and then driven to a U.S. base, the first significant breakthrough in a hostage drama now more than three weeks old.

The two women, who broke into tears after seeing the international Red Cross officials there to take custody of them, got out of a dark gray Toyota Corolla driven by an Afghan elder and into one of two waiting Red Cross SUVs. The women said nothing to reporters alerted to the handoff location five miles southeast of Ghazni city by a Taliban spokesman.

Wearing scarves on their heads, khaki trousers and traditional Afghan knee-length shirts, the women were driven to the U.S. base in Ghazni city, where American soldiers searched them and then let them enter. Both carried bags.

The Taliban monsters are patting themselves on the back for their “gesture of good will.”

Now, they want their reward: “We are expecting the Korean people and government to force the Kabul administration and the U.S. to take a step toward releasing Taliban prisoners,” Ahmadi said by telephone from an undisclosed location.”

Appeasement begets appeasement. Will that lesson be remembered?

***

Yonhap identifies the freed hostages: “Two of 21 South Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan have been released and moved to a safe area, a spokesman for the South Korean Foreign Ministry said Monday. The released hostages are Kim Gina, 32, and Kim Kyung-ja, 37, ministry spokesman Cho Hee-yong told reporters.”

***

Posted in: South Korean Christian hostages

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#115950

On August 13th, 2007 at 11:25 am, ajmontana said:

What was their Gesture of Goowill when the cowards murdered two others. Pigs all of them.
#115957

On August 13th, 2007 at 11:36 am, On-my-soap-box said:

Praise GOD for their release!

Thanks for keeping this story going Michelle.
#115970

On August 13th, 2007 at 11:53 am, gregorystephens said:

I’m hoping that the two that were released can provide information as to where the others are being kept so that they can be rescued and their captors killed.
#115974

On August 13th, 2007 at 12:01 pm, changjin89 said:

On August 13th, 2007 at 11:36 am, On-my-soap-box said:
Praise GOD for their release!

Thanks for keeping this story going Michelle.

Heartily second both of these sentiments, and am glad of all prayers and earnest suggestions offered.
#115976

On August 13th, 2007 at 12:04 pm, Laree said:

All,

It is a Blessing.

Were these not the women, who were reported as in ill health, all the taliban did was release two women who they might have considered, were an inconvience to them, to hold any longer.

I am reminded of the value the taliban place on women. It is our Values they are counting on. They think they have the West figured out.

I can see what the taliban wants our next response to be, I hope we surprize them.
#115995

On August 13th, 2007 at 12:48 pm, feebiebabe said:

I am so happy these ladies were released.

That said, I really find the phrase as “gesture of goodwill” quite offensive and insulting to the intellegence of anyone with half a brain!
#116005

On August 13th, 2007 at 1:02 pm, Schweggie said:

Fantastic news. I am very interested in hearing their testimonies. I do hope that have some actionable intel, that would be excellent.
Still hunkered down for the long haul…
#116023

On August 13th, 2007 at 1:42 pm, Dkian said:

Those who know the meaning of the term “good will” don’t go around taking hostages.
#116031

On August 13th, 2007 at 1:57 pm, feebiebabe said:

#8 – excellent point.
#116035

On August 13th, 2007 at 2:05 pm, josetheguerilla said:

Appeasement begets appeasement. Will that lesson be remembered? MM

Governments should not be tempted to release any Taliban terrorist. Look what happened when the Philippine government gave the terrorist 6 million dollars and pulled out of Iraq. The Philippine government launched a new offensive this week to fight Islamic terrorist in Jolo (south Philippines). They’re still fighting terrorist after appeasing them!!!!! I say don’t submit!!!!!!!!
#116044

On August 13th, 2007 at 2:29 pm, NeoConNews said:

I think an even better gesture of good will would be to stop kidnapping and MURDERING people in the first place.
#116066

On August 13th, 2007 at 3:27 pm, Kevin from Ohio in Virginia said:

I am reminded of when President Reagan, when asked by Soviet Premier Gorbachev to stop the advancement of SDI, looked across the table at him and simply said, “NYET.” He then got up and left the room and the city of Reykjavik where the meeting was taking place without another word.
#116091

On August 13th, 2007 at 4:13 pm, swj719AWG said:

I am reminded of when President Reagan, when asked by Soviet Premier Gorbachev to stop the advancement of SDI, looked across the table at him and simply said, “NYET.” He then got up and left the room and the city of Reykjavik where the meeting was taking place without another word.

I really do miss that man…
#116212

On August 13th, 2007 at 10:10 pm, JoeS said:

Thank you, Michelle, for being one of the few that are keeping attention focused on this situation.

The Taliban does not give a care about their own people. They murder people who do.

We need to win this war.
#116233

On August 14th, 2007 at 1:15 am, gippergirl said:

God be with the remaining victims and their families…I guess the “religion of peace” doesn’t have the old “thou shalt not steal” part in it…
#116270

On August 14th, 2007 at 8:04 am, gunslingerpatriot said:

Or follow the old “thou shalt not murder” in it either…

Praise the true GOD for bringing Gina and Kyung-ya back to their families. When one Christian member is harmed for the cause of Christ, then we all mourn together-Thanks MM and your staff for keeping this story alive.

IHS-gunslingerpatriot
#116279

On August 14th, 2007 at 9:04 am, Bhishma said:

Michelle,

Hats off for keeping this story on the front burner. Have not read everything about this story but their Islamic attire begs a question: Before their release, were the released hostages converted to Islam?

Again, hats off!