[Editorial] Some Iraqi Religious Leaders Began Call For Kim’s Release

No news sometimes gives hope. As the deadline set by the Iraqi armed group who abducted Kim Sun-il for his execution has expired “safely,” expectations for his safe release have been on the rise. We are sincerely longing for a miracle in which a cross-border humane desire against the victimization of an innocent civilian will move the abductors to give up their terrible plans.

Countless Koreans are making tearful pleas for Kim’s safe return. They bombarded the Al Jazeera website and other Arabic websites which share similar names with the Arabic news network with e-mail pleas for Kim’s life to the point where their barrage of messages overloaded the sites. Although their main agenda was to oppose the country’s troop dispatch to Iraq, many citizens converged on the street and lit up candles for Kim’s safe return. Many more people are praying for his release at their homes and work.

Iraq’s Sunni Committee of Islamic Ulama has also demanded Kim’s release. What are the implications for Iraqi demands for Kim’s freedom? It implies that the abduction and killing of a civilian is not only unacceptable in humane sense, and also won’t help address the problems the Iraqis are faced with. If they are struggling for the cause of Islam, the abductors should listen to what the Islamic leaders have to say.

Although a glimmering ray of hope is now emerging, the government must not become complacent. While it has made a plea through Al Jazeera, the satellite news channel with great influence, the government should continue to use any means possible to win his release, including making contact with Iraqi religious leaders.

The goal is to earn Kim’s safe return. The government should try its best to end the standoff with a sense of urgency; a citizen’s life depends upon its negotiation skills. If necessary, not only Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, but also President Roh Moo-hyun should come out and work for his release directly.