“Iraqi People Are In Deep Grief As Well”

“Killing civilians must not be forgiven for any reason,” said Lee, a student of the NGO graduate school of Sungkonghoe University, who entered Baghdad in early June. With an interest in infant education, Lee has worked hard for Iraqi children while working with infants in Baghdad.

According to a letter, Lee has stopped all activities and watched reports on mass media, since last Tuesday when news of Kim’s kidnapping hit his community. Lee’s Iraqi friends also have paid full attention to the news with hopes for Kim’s safe return.

Lee delivered the reaction of the Iraqi people, saying, “My Iraqi friends were watching candlelight rallies in Korea and consoled me that because the Korean people wish Kim’s return so desperately, everything will turn out to be fine,” and added, “They were also deploring that the kidnappers are doing what Muslims must not to do.”

Lee also said, “Iraqi people are suffering from mental blows as well due to the brutal murder of innocent foreigners,” and, “Many people reacted that it is not understandable that the Korean government declared its confirmation of its troop deployment to Iraq even right after the broadcast threat on Kim’s life.

Yun introduced one call, which he received from his Iraqi friend right after Kim’s death. His friend has been studying for long time on civilian deaths and injuries occurring in the Falluja area.

“They killed innocent people. Many Iraqis are feeling very sorrowful about that.”

Many Iraqis were crying while watching the screams of Kim’s family broadcasted in Middle East by broadcasting companies like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia. It is no longer a story of others to the eyes of the Iraqi people.

“It is so dreadful that we cannot go outside.” They conveyed what is going on ahead of the transfer of Iraq sovereignty transfer.

Lee said, “Now, Iraq is anarchy.” Hallucinogens emanating from a pharmacy torn down by bombing are spreading throughout city and thus, even kids are wandering around intoxicated. Iraqi women, used to be destined for death when they committed adultery, are now prostituting themselves in order to make money.

Lee said, “With the return of sovereignty to Iraq approaching, fear among Iraqi people of armed insurgent groups is beyond our imagination. I think it is dangerous for my Iraqi friends to hang around with Koreans, so I decided to leave Iraq.”

“In last two months, it is estimated that a thousand people have lost their lives in Iraq, and endless lamentations are echoing throughout the nation,” said Yun, who asked, “With what can we console numerous Iraqi mothers who have lost their sons and daughters like Kim Sun-il’s mother?”

Yang-Hwan Jung Se-Jin Jung ray@donga.com mint4a@donga.com