Remaining 19 South Korean Hostages Now Free

All 19 of the remaining South Korean hostages are now free. The Taliban released 12 hostages on Wednesday and the other 7 on Thursday. Now the discussion turns toward the issue of whether foreign missionary work should be allowed in countries like Afghanistan where the risks are great.

Protestant organizations in South Korea have said they will respect the new law banning missionary activities in Afghanistan after voicing appreciation for the government’s effort in freeing the Christian volunteers.

The Korea National Council of Churches in a statement Tuesday night said it was “right to respect the government’s agreement with the Taliban,” according to Chosun Ilbo – the largest newspaper in South Korea.

Furthermore, the church body added that it will use the hostage crisis to reflect on Korean churches’ overseas mission strategies and formulate more effective as well as safer ways to conduct missionary activities abroad. South Korea is currently the world’s second largest missionary sending nation after the United States.

Is this something the church should submit to, or is it an area where believers should, like the apostles, say, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)?

Thoughts?

See more coverage here:

• Christian Post:
  • All 19 Korean Hostages Released
  • Release of Korean Hostages Sparks Debate
• Fox News: Taliban Release Remaining South Korean Hostages
• Get Religion: Who, what, when, where
• Jerusalem Post: Taliban free remaining South Korean hostages

See thoughts and discussions here:

• Bob Bixby: “You Can’t Preach There”

See also our previous posts:

• Taliban to Release Remaining 19 Korean Hostages
• Jack Bauer, Paul, and the Rescuing of Hostages
• Second South Korean Hostage Killed
• 1 Korean Christian Hostage Killed
• Korean Christian Hostages Still Alive

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