[Editorial] We Appeal the Release of Kim Sun-il

The abduction of Kim Sun-il by an armed group is not an acceptable deed for any reason. The abduction of an innocent civilian and the threat to kill him is not acceptable from the humane point of view. It also runs counter to the teachings of Islam, the Iraqis’ religion. Islam is a religion of peace. A true Muslim who stresses the charity of Allah should immediately stop an anti-religious effort to agonize a civilian who has nothing to do with his struggle against foreign forces in Iraq.

The abductors should also consider the negative impression on Islam which they will have in Korea if they conclude this abduction in a tragedy. There are about 40,000 Muslims in Korea. In Korea’s contingent unit due to head to Iraq, there are soldiers who have converted to Islam. Many Koreans appeal that their good-will should not be repaid with a cruel crime.

Their opposition to Korea’s troop dispatch to Iraq is problematic. Korea is not sending troops to Iraq because it wants to do battle there. We are sending them for peace and reparation in Iraq. We made a tough decision to help Iraq because we, the nation which suffered the misery of war a half century ago, understand the pain the Iraqis feel.

Although the intimations with a human life as ransom send shivers down the spine, the government should maintain its cool posturing and do its best to secure Kim’s safe return. While it should take advantage of the point that we send troops to help Iraq, it should wisely handle the situation by following the lead taken by Japan, which had its nationals released with the help of the Iraqi religious community.

It was right for the government not to cave in to the threats and to send troops to Iraq as planned. The abductors sent a videotape threat to broadcasters after Korea has finalized its plans for the Iraqi contingent. This proves they fully understand what we are up to in Korea. A divided public opinion on the issue will end up helping the abductors.