Day 3: S. Korean Taken Hostage
TOP URGENT: Kim executed. Body found.
SICK STATISTIC: I’ve had over 1,100 hits since Kim’s body was found, and over 90% of those hits are from searches for “Kim Sun Il beading video” or some varation of that theme. The world is full of ghouls.
LATEST: Koreans reportedly threatening to burn down the mosque in Seoul and kill muslims in Korea.
The following are links to the story and its aftermath (Updates will continue throughout the day):
Of course, television and newspaper photographers wer hanging like vultures around Kims family to capture the horror and grief when the death was announced.
50 lawmakers from various parties have submitted a resolution to cancel the dispatch of Korean troops to Iraq.
Lawmakers are quoted as saying: “Even though I am burning with anger at the death of an innocent civilian, we must halt the dispatch of our soldiers in order to cut the vicious circle of terrorism that we have seen in the example of Kim’s case,” and “We have to rethink the current situation because an innocent Korean man has been killed,” and this strange statement “If the aim of the terrorism is to split public opinion, we should not be dragged into it.”
Kim’s headless body was found booby-trapped with explosives. According to this story, a coalition official said, “The man had been beheaded, and the head was recovered with the body.” Pentagon sources said the body had been booby-trapped with explosives. This is not being reported in the Korean news. Koreans need to know what sick, sick, freaks these terrorists are.
Kim likely kidnapped MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AGO on May 30, not June 17. Kim’s employer gives highly contradictory statements.
President Roh apologizes to the nation for Kim’s murder. Roh said, “I am very sorry and deeply regretful that this tragedy happened, although all the people and the government wished and prayed for the safe return of Mr. Kim Sun-il.”
Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon apologized to the nation Wednesday for failing to bring Kim safely back home. Ban said, “Despite all available diplomatic efforts to save him, the grisly killing happened. I will make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Koreans in Iraq to prevent the recurrence of a similar incident.”
Korean police step up security at US and British Embassies.
Kim executed immediately after government rejected demand to withdraw troops.
Kim’s body found on roadside. US says Kim was beheaded and thrown from a vehicle. South Korea silent on beheading.
Kims’ death came as a surprise as it was “partially” confirmed that he was alive by South Korean officials and local media outlets on Tuesday. Moments before the beheading, Choi Seung-kap, president of New Korea Total Service had said, “Kim is now detained at an unidentified place in Iraq. My Iraqi business partner is negotiating his release.” Nothing Choi has said has been confirmed by anyone publicly. It is unknown what, if anything he had been doing. It is not known how or why he was doing it.
The terrorists made it clear that they did not believe the statements from South Korean citizens that they only wanted to help Iraq and were against the US too. Seconds before the beheading, which wasn’t shown one terrorist shouted, “This is what your hands have committed. Your army has not come here for the sake of Iraqis, but for cursed America.”
President Roh will address the nation at 9:30 am local time. He is expected to send his condolences to the family of Mr. Kim and talk about security issues.
The Korean National Security Council strongly condemns the murder of Kim and reafirms its “basic spirit and position” regarding sending troops to Iraq.
Korean government criticised for lacking diplomatic tactics and bargaining skills.
President Bush expresses his condolences and calls the terrorists “barbaric”. He condemned the terrorists by saying, “The free world cannot be intimidated by the brutal actions of these barbaric people.”