Seoul (AsiaNews) – Kim Sun-il, the young South Korean kidnapped by a fundamentalist group and threatened with decapitation, is still alive despite the fact that the deadline for his life expired. The news about his abduction and the video broadcast by Al-Jazeera Network showing the hostage filled with terror have shocked and distressed South Koreans. Christians have also been shaken. According to Kim's family, the young man is Protestant and wanted to be a missionary in the Arab world.

Sources contacted by Asianews in Seoul claim that people have started a giant solidarity campaign on behalf of Kim and his family. The campaign is but one element in the protest campaign demanding that the government cancel plans to send 3,000 additional troops to Iraq. Every evening, around 7 PM, many people take part in a torchlight procession in the Kwanhwamoon area near the U.S. embassy, a traditional place for peaceful demonstrations.

Tonight a vigil for peace and the safe return of the young man will be held in a Protestant church in Kangnam neighbourhood. On June 26, in the central neighbourhood of Myongdong some politicians will demonstrate their opposition to sending South Korean troops in Iraq. According to the Korean National Council of Churches (KNCC) – an interfaith organisation that brings together various Protestant churches – the abduction is everyone's responsibility since anyone could have been taken hostage like Kim. Hence, it would be better not to send additional troops to Iraq. However, the South Korean government has stated that it does not intend to reach any compromise with terrorists; in fact, it still intends to send the 3,000 additional troops to Iraq who will serve in the reconstruction effort.

The Iraq war has split South Korean public opinion, already partially opposed to sending South Korean troops last October. In the wake of the emotions generated by Kim's abduction, surveys show that almost two thirds (63.2%) of South Koreans are against any further deployment of troops. Back in October public opinion was almost evenly split (48% in favour; 47.4% opposed).

"Although the South Korean Catholic Church has not taken any official position, the Church has from the beginning opposed sending troops to Iraq and is in favour of the withdrawal of those already present," said Sister Maria Yim, a South Korean nun of the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd, of Seoul.

33 years old Kim Sun-il studied Arabic in order to become a missionary in the Middle East. Born in Pusan, in the south-west of the country, where he lives with his family, Kim graduated in Theology at a local seminary and in Arabic at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul. According to his parents he was soon going to be ordained and then go on mission. He had gone to Baghdad to work as a translator for the Gana General Trading Company, a Korean company that supplies food and uniforms to the U.S. army.

In South Korea most people (about 40%) are Christians. Catholics represent about 10% of the population. Protestants are present throughout the country, including some of the remotest rural areas and are very dedicated to missionary activity in the Middle East. (MR)