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This story available online: http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07469.htm
07469 July 31, 2007
Korean Presbyterians urge prayer for hostages held in Afghanistan
Two killed; Taliban sets Wednesday deadline for others
by Jerry Van Marter Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE - The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has issued an "urgent prayer appeal" to its ecumenical partners - including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - on behalf of the two dozen Korean Presbyterians held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
One of the hostages, the Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu, was killed July 22, and another, Shim Sung-Min, was executed early this morning (July 31).
The appeal, received here by Insik Kim, coordinator for Asia/Pacific in the World Mission program area, was sent by PROK General Secretary Yoon Kil Soo. Expressing "the deep sorrow and pain" of the Korean people and church, he called on the U.S. and Afghan governments to lead negotiations with the Taliban and urged the global community "to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan."
Insik Kim added, "Let us pray to God that the killing of innocent people may stop and the remaining hostages be returned safely to their families in Korea, and to work for peace and reconciliation for all people."
The full text of the appeal from the PROK general secretary, dated July 31:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has consistently prayed for "peace and life" in the global village.
We, together with the whole Korean people, are in deep sorrow and pain after we heard today the shocking news that the Taliban have killed a second Korean hostage, Mr. Shim Sung-Min, early this morning. This terrible news came to us only a few days after Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu was killed by the Taliban last Wednesday. Moreover, the threat of further executions of the hostages is driving not only the affected families but the whole Korean society into the most painful situation.
Therefore, we urgently call on the entire ecumenical community around the world to pray to God that the killings of innocent people may stop and that these hostages may safely return to their families. We deeply appreciate the earlier expression of prayer sent from the World Council of Churches to the National Council of Churches in Korea.
We urge the global community to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Particularly, we sincerely request the governments of both Afghanistan and the US to lead the negotiations with the Taliban for the sake of the safe return of the hostages.
We express our deep condolences to the families of Rev. Bae Hyung-Kyu and Mr. Shim Sung-Min and stand in firm solidarity with all the affected families.
Let us all continue to pray for all people whose lives are threatened by conflict situations and to make our utmost effort to work for abundant life for all people.
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