Memorial service held for South Korean volunteer killed by Taliban

BUNDANG, South Korea: Friends and relatives of a South Korean volunteer worker killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan packed a church memorial service Saturday where hundreds wept,sang hymns and prayed for 21 remaining hostages.Shim Sung-min,29,was killed Monday after being taken hostage with 22 other South Koreans in southern Afghanistan.They were kidnapped in Ghazni province on July 19 as they traveled by bus from Kabul to the southern city of Kandahar."We can only hope for the safe return of the 21 other hostages to their country and families,"Sim Jin-pyo, his father,told hundreds gather at a university hospital near the capital,Seoul."He sacrificed himself to helpothers. Let us hope he can continue his work in heaven."
Family members wailed at his closed casket after joining in prayers also attended by politicians. His body will be donated for research.Lawmaker Lee Geun-sik condemned the killing,saying "God will not forgive those responsible for this barbaric act."The Taliban,who also shot dead a pastor who headed the aid mission,has threatened to kill more hostages if their demand for the release of fighters held by the Afghan government are not met.In Afghanistan,a venue was being sought in government territory where Taliban representatives could hold talks with a Korean delegation,possibly under UN supervision.South Korea has sent diplomatic teams to Afghanistan and the US, seen as a last hope in resolving the hostage crisis,hoping to persuade Washington to make an exception to its policy of non-negotiation with terrorists...
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http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/04/asia/AS-GEN-SKorea-Afghan-Kidnappings.php
As in the days of Noah...