VARIOUS: Security increase up in Afghanistan in wake of kidnap of South Koreans / In Seoul relatives of the hostages pray for their safety

Record ID: 492015

  • Title: VARIOUS: Security increase up in Afghanistan in wake of kidnap of South Koreans / In Seoul relatives of the hostages pray for their safety
  • Date: 27th July 2007
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF AFGHAN POLICE SEARCHING CARS AND MOTORBIKES
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2007 13:00
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  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA8B3ZBHL7VNIW3IV350SODPJ21
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  • Story Text: Relatives of the South Koreans kidnapped in Afghanistan gathered at the Saemmul church in Bundang on Friday (July 27) to await news of their missing family members.
    The aid workers went to Afghanistan to help, said a pastor at the church which sent the mission to Afghanistan.
    Pastor Park Jin-sub at the Saemmul Church where the 23 Koreans kidnapped in Afghanistan are members, said they were dispatched purely to help people in the region.
    "We sent them...with the same sense of love, sacrifice and volunteerism in mind that worldwide non-government organisations have,"
    said Park The fate of the remaining 22 South Korean hostages held by the Taliban in Afghanistan was not known after the expiry of a deadline by the group.
    A Taliban spokesman had earlier said they would kill the captives if rebel prisoners were not released by the Afghan government by Friday noon (0730 GMT).
    In a first known contact with the outside, a South Korean woman hostage pleaded for help and a speedy release of all the hostages in a telephone interview with CBS News. The woman was believed to be that of Yoo Hyun-joo, a 32-year-old nurse.
    Yoo's brother said he could immediately recognise her voice, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.
    Most of those captive are in their 20s and 30s and include nurses and English teachers. Yonhap News Agency said they were providing only free medical or educational services in Afghanistan with no missionary intentions.
    The Koreans are the biggest group of foreigners kidnapped so far in the Taliban campaign to oust the U.S.-backed government and force out foreign troops.
    South Korean chief presidential national security advisor, Baek Jong-chun, is expected to arrive in Afghanistan later on Friday to step up efforts to free the hostages.
    ends
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