Deadlock on Day 35: The South Korean Christian hostage crisis
It’s Day 35 of the South Korean Christian hostage crisis that the world has forgotten (if it ever paid attention at all). The Taliban renewed its threats to kill the remaining 19 hostages: “If the demands of the Taliban are not met, the Korean hostages face death,” said purported rebel spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed to Agence France-Presse by telephone from an unknown location. “Although we want this crisis to be solved through negotiations, it seems the U.S. authorities are creating problems,” he added. More:
Mujahed also reported that most of the captives were sick from weather conditions and from lack of “proper food.”
“Their health condition is not good,” the spokesman said. “The weather conditions and a lack of proper food have made conditions for them very hard. Most of them are sick.”
Talks between Taliban negotiators and a South Korean delegation had initially appeared to be making headway when two female hostages were released last Monday. However, the negotiations have since become deadlocked with the rebels continuing to demand the release of its jailed fighters in exchange for the Koreans.
According to Chosun Ilbo, the Afghan government has formed a “special committee” to “find a diplomatic solution” to the Taliban-engineered crisis “by cooperating with countries like Pakistan that have influence on the Taliban.” Reuters reports that the Afghan government would use force to free the hostages if talks between the Korean delegation and the Taliban fail. Contrary report here.
Blogger Eugene Cho continues his vigil for the hostages and writes:
I recently received an email today from a fellow minister in the United States who “confessed” that he had no idea that this was going on until he stumbled onto this blog. Let’s do our part to both pray and help bring light to this situation.
Via Eugene, here’s a video timeline of the crisis to date:
And a reminder again of the bright, smiling faces hidden by the tall shadows of global apathy and capitulation:
***
Related: AP reports that a “German hostage who has been held by the Taliban for more than a month appeared on Afghan television today, coughing and holding his chest while appealing for help. Taliban militants, meanwhile, ambushed a convoy of supplies for NATO-led troops in southern Afghanistan, killing 10 Afghan guards, an official with the convoy said.”
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This story is just sooo last week!
Who cares about far-away hostages when Lindsay isn’t going to face cocaine charges and Britney’s forgotten her underwear again!
God help those poor Koreans, and this country.
So why don’t they find a dry cave and feed them? Oh yea, it’s Bush and Israel’s fault that these people are sick. /sarc
And yet the MSM (including FOX) remains silent.
You’d think Tony Snow’s office would at least issue a statement or somthing on occassion. Sheesh.
I guess it would be different if it was a bunch of radical Christian fundamentalists (yes they do exist) holding Hindu missionaries hostage.
Yep, I am one. I pray for these people and their captors. Praying for our enemies is like heaping hot coals on them so, yes, I am radical.
Time to go cut off some heads.
Seriously, define that term. Anybody?
Link – source, please.
This story makes me feel so helpless. Will continue to Pray for their safe release.
I cannot let this go. I googled it three different ways and – nothing.
That leave just one conclusion – troll.
Do tell all, I’m a card carrying RCF (radical Christan fundamentalist) and I do pray for the safe return of our SKor colleagues.
Please define “radical Christian fundamentalist”, walterc.
I’d be interested to know what your definition of “radical” is.
And it’d be interesting to see you support that definition with evidence showing that radical Christian fundamentalists have committed tens of thousands of terror attacks, and that their leaders have either openly advocated such violence or never, ever condemned it.
While I see that you at the very least understand the MSM bias toward Christians, I’m curious to know what you mean by “radical Christian fundamentalist”.
Like On-my-soap-box, if praying, and being a defender of my faith, and working against those who seek to destroy and undermine my faith makes me a “radical”, so be it. In fact, I’ll do you one better – I’m a radical CATHOLIC fundamentalist.
Amazing about the minister in the US who hadn’t heard about this. My step-Dad who is working in Afganistan as a contractor right now had not heard of the story until we told him about it early last week. He said they can rarely watch tv and when he gets on the internet it’s just quick email blasts to friends and family. But to Michelle’s point, even if he did have time to surf the net, he wouldn’t have found this story. I haven’t talked to him since, but next time I talk to him I’ll ask if he’s heard anything.
But at this point, it’s a chess match for public opinion. With the Taliban stressing the hostages’ sickness, I think if they do not get their demands, they will try to keep food and meds very minimal and hope a hostage perishes, then they will say, ’see, we’ve been trying to negotiate, but because you have stalled and failed to meet our demands, this hostage had to die”. I believe this is their strategy now. They MAY try and get away with murdering one more of the male hostages, but as soon as they murder any of the females with an AK-47, they KNOW there will be HELL to pay.
One Better?
Just a joke, aj. You should meet some of the other bloggers I’ve run into. Tell them you’re Catholic, and they lose it.
On August 23rd, 2007 at 11:40 am, ajmontana said:
englishqueen01 I’ll do you one better – I’m a radical CATHOLIC fundamentalist.
Best!
Well I figured you were just caught up in the excitment and were typing at the speed of light.
Awesome!
*taps fingers on desk waiting on walterc
I got you all beat –
I’m a Radical Green Bay Packer Fundamentalist….
I’m also a Radical Indy Racing League Fundamentalist….
As for WalterC’s comments – I think there’s an overreaction here….sounds to me as if he was hypothesizing about Radical Christian Fundamentalists holding Hindu hostages – not referring to a specific incident…
Didn’t sound trollish to me when I read it – maybe I’m wrong…
And as for the MSM – how can they POSSIBLY be expected to fit this in? Didn’t Michelle Obama or Elizabeth Edwards put down another candidate again today? Stop the presses!!!!
This was my take, too.
My apologies walterc. I flew off the handle. I get worked up on the Radical Christian Fundamentalists (and they do exist) comment. Then, I just read the rest with red eyes. I here this talking point all of the time and I have yet to get a definition from the person who throws it out there.
I apologize because I am a radical Christian who knows wrong is wrong!
Hindus don’t send missionaries and evangelize. They stay home.
I think a possible example – if you want to talk about one – of Radical Christians, or someone who CONSIDERS themselves as such – would be that group who protests at servicemen’s funerals?
The ones who have such vile and terrible things to say about dying for homosexuals, etc… all that garbage.
They claim to do so under a ‘Christian’ heading –
But, anyone can see that they do not represent “Christianity” any more than the ACLU represents most Americans in many cases.
There are ‘radicals’ out there who take actions based on their version or interpretation of Christianity – but 99% of the time, they do so misguidedly.
This is opposed to the vast culture of Islamist Radical Fundamentalists who greatly outnumber any ‘radical christians’ and who’s cause is highlighted by death and destruction.
It is time to kidnap the Mullahs and shove the American flag up their hides until they go to the toilet red, white and blue. I would like President Bush to personally take out a branding iron and brand a big old “W” on the head mullah’s hide.
There is no political solution to this problem. The answer is to turn the mullah’s palaces into 50,000 hole golf courses.
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/04/03/turn-iran-and-syria-into-50000-hole-golf-courses/
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/somebody-blow-up-damascus-today/
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/violence-in-gaza-oh-and-water-is-wet/
Respectfully,
eric
It’s day 35 for these hostages, anyone have ideas of what we’ can do I have open ears.
Thank you Mrs. Malkin for remembering. Between yourself and Pastor Cho, notwithstanding other pressing cares and concerns, the vigil candle for our brothers and sisters will stay lit. If at this remove our trial of faith aches, think of the true agony that the families and fellow church members of the hostages must endure, to say nothing of the hostages themselves.
OT- jrl I’m a radical Seattle Seahawk Fandamentalist and very glad it was preseason last week… ouch.
jrl: You’re referring to Fred Phelps and his band of nutters.
They are not a “church” – the “church” is his family and a small, small handful of loons that think he’s an inspiration.
Let me be clear: Phelps and Co. are NOT Christians. They are biggoted, abusive, hateful people who spew venom and disrespect wherever they go. I will never, ever defend their actions. God may demand certain, moral behavior but he DOES NOT hate anyone (as Phelps’ group claims), nor are national tragedies God’s punishment to America. They are mentally, spiritually, and socially misinformed and ill.
Were they ever to show their faces in Wisconsin, I’d be there staging my own protest because they would NOT show disrespect to our troops in my backyard while I sit silently.
Look up Phelp’s bio on Wikipedia. It’s startling, and since – to my knowledge – it’s pretty much gone unchallenged, probably accurate.
I agree there is something eating at their pea sized brains.
oh wait, is that profiling the brain dead? oh well, whatever…..
aj, careful with the “hate” now!
Spread the LOVE!
Whoa, hold on folks. I’m not a troll, and I didn’t say that radical Christian fundamentalists have committed atrocities. I just said they do exist.
And being a radical fundamentalist doesn’t necessary mean they are violent. But you have to admit that along with Phelps (who does consider himself a dovout Christian), the Reverend Jones was pretty radical and Christian, as was that Koresh fellow (and his stockpile of weapons). And there is that bunch of polygamist mormon types (yes Mormons are Christians) that are quite radical.
My point was, IF some “radical Christians” happened to kidnap a bunch of Hindu missionaries, the press would be all over it.
And thanks jrlingreenbay for getting my understanding.
Apology accepted soap box.
So let’s see here…
The terrorists kidnapped 23 people.
They murdered 2 of them in cold blood.
And we’re the ones “creating problems”?!?
Talk about the pot calling the sun “black!”
Right! So, the definition is? We know what they mean to say.
Oh, thanks Michelle for the update. No, I will not forget and have been waiting to see if you had other info I did not.
GOD Bless!
walterc,
Those examples you quoted are all people who violated the teachings of the Bible. By doing so, they’ve proven that they can not be legitimately called christians.
Radical fundamentalists actually stick as close to the Bible’s teachings as possible.
Changjin,
May God shine his light on you and your loved ones. Where there is love, there is always hope. I hope the hostages return home safely.
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/08/03/despite-human-suffering-i-still-believe-in-god/
http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/07/19/what-matters-in-life/
Respectfully,
eric
Waco ring a bell with anyone? Radicals exist. People will claim to be Christian (even Christ) but that does not make them such, and everyone with half a brain knows the difference – except Rosie. Anyone who commits crimes in the name of Christ is not a Christian.
I wonder if this has anything to do with a policy of appeasement, or lack of. Basically since the kidnappers demands are not being met, and the hostages are not being freed, there is no “give peace a chance, let’s just understand the poor kidnappers” angle on the story. Regardless, it’s saddening the lack of reporting on this.
On August 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm, walterc said:
Whoa, hold on folks. I’m not a troll, and I didn’t say that radical Christian fundamentalists have committed atrocities. I just said they do exist.
And being a radical fundamentalist doesn’t necessary mean they are violent. But you have to admit that along with Phelps (who does consider himself a dovout Christian), the Reverend Jones was pretty radical and Christian, as was that Koresh fellow (and his stockpile of weapons). And there is that bunch of polygamist mormon types (yes Mormons are Christians) that are quite radical.
My whole point here was that if the Reverand Phelps, who calls himself a Christian, were to kidnap a bunch of Hindu missionaries, the press would be falling all over themselves to cover it.
I consider my self a Christian, but I don’t consider myself qualified to debate which Christian based religions are “true” Christian and which are cults.
My apologies for anyone that may have been offended by my use of the term “Radical Fundamentalist Christian”.
Relax folks, we’re all on the same side here.
My argument exactly. And, how many times do you hear about those “moderate” Muslims the media talks about getting on blogs, television, etc. and denouncing terrorism and radical behavior?
Not as much as necessary considering Islam is far more violent than modern Christianity.
As for me, I will ALWAYS denounce those who are violent or blatantly bigoted in the name of God. They’re not Christians.
On-my-soap-box pretty much nailed the rest of my argument. Mormons are not Christian, Koresh/Jones thought they were God and therefore are not Christians.
And walterc – apologies for jumping on you.
folks-
Lets remain on focus here and not forget that these are our fellow brothers and sisters being persucted for their faith.
Lets all take a moment tonight and lift them, their families and other Christians in the world who are being persucted for their faith in Yeshua’ while we live in releative comfort today.
I agree. These young people left their comfortable settings to go and be a light in a dark place – RADICAL! Now, they are in a darker place then they could have imagined. Prayer works. I had a very good friend of mine kidnapped in Haiti. I picked him up at the airport and the next day, he was gone. People all over the world prayed for him and he was released the next day. This is my prayer and never ending hope – that they are released. GOD is good!
Amen!!
Thank you G-d for the time to lift up our brothers and sisters who are perscuted for your names sake-be with their families and bring them home again. In Yeshua’s name-Amen.
Friday Greetings Mrs. Malkin and loyal community. Very wonderful to see the prayerful orientation develop as yesterday progressed. Many of this community know from experience that that prayer works! Some here may be aware that one of the ladies still in captivity gave up the chance to be released to one of her fellow missionaries, as she believed her friend to be more sick than she. Her name is Lee Ji-young (이지영).
The missionaries are exemplary of His command to “go and do likewise”, and Lee Ji-young’s is a quickening example. Thanks to all for being here.