Chapter 517: Side Story 4. The Wheat Grain of Syria (3)

Side Story 4. The Wheat Grain of Syria (3)

Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon did not hesitate to curse me, saying I would fall into the fire of hell and threaten to erase me from the Book of Life. But he never said the words, "I will pay the money."

After talking his fill in front of the press, he left as if running away when reporters tried to ask questions. That scene was broadcast as it was.

- LOL, this is crazy. What is Akajinqi?

- Seeing the yellow blood letter, I thought he was doing a comedy skit.

- So he's saying he'll hold onto his Apgujeong apartment whether the mission team dies or not?

- He doesn't pay a penny of his own money, but he's bitching at Kang Jin-hoo to pay~

- Anyone would think he left money with him.

- It's a relief. If he had paid, this company commander would have been disappointed in Kang Jin-hoo~

- As Kang Jin-hoo said, if the hostages die, it's all Pastor Bang Jeong-hoon's fault.

- Since he was expelled, strictly speaking, isn't he not a pastor anymore?

- I feel sorry for the church members who went on a mission trip trusting such a person ㅜㅜ

- But surely my tax money isn't being used to pay the ransom, right?

***

In countries where the economic system has collapsed, kidnapping foreigners and demanding ransom happens quite often. For criminal organizations, this is a business and a major source of income.

Still, it is extremely rare for as many as 21 people to be kidnapped. With religious issues, the Syrian civil war, and even Kang Jin-hoo's friend intertwined, it attracted international attention. Media outlets around the world poured out articles focusing on Al-Syria, the New World Church, and the problems of the Korean mission team.

When the Korean government sent a negotiation team to Syria, many countries expressed concern. While the negotiation team was being cautious, Kang Jin-hoo clearly stated his intention not to pay.

After five days passed like that, Al-Syria took action.

The hostages were kneeling in a dark room.

Compared to when the video was first released, the hostages' faces and bodies were much gaunter, and they looked scruffy as if they hadn't washed properly.

A middle-aged man with a thin build read the writing on a piece of paper.

"I am Pastor Bae Han-il of the New World Church. I came to Syria to spread the gospel of God. President Heo Chang-min! CEO Kang Jin-hoo! I want to live. I want to live and see my family again. Please help us return to Korea alive."

But as soon as he finished speaking, a man wearing a mask drew a scimitar from his waist.

Seeing the knife, the man was startled and burst into tears.

"N-no! Please save me!"

The men and women behind him also burst into tears in unison.

"I'll do whatever you say. Please save me!"

Cries erupted along with ear-piercing screams.

Fortunately, he didn't swing the knife. Instead, he put it to Pastor Bae Han-il's neck and spoke in English.

"I tell Kang Jin-hoo. If the ransom is not paid within three days, we will behead one hostage at a time."

***

[(Breaking News) Al-Syria Ultimatum! Only Three Days!]

[Heo Chang-min Government's Diplomatic Disaster!]

[Possibility That Kang Jin-hoo's Remarks Provoked Muhammad Sheikh Al-Khalid?]

[Who is Responsible If Hostages Die?]

[Kang Jin-hoo Should Negotiate Before More Damage Occurs...]

The opposition party criticized the Blue House with sharp tones, and the media drove it as Kang Jin-hoo and the government's responsibility. The protests in front of the OTK Company headquarters under the guise of prayer meetings also intensified. Severe criticism arose even within Protestantism regarding this situation. Also, hatred and hostility towards Islam grew.

In the midst of this, former President Park Si-hyeong, who was in prison, showed his presence after a long time by saying, 'I want to become a hostage instead on behalf of the people. Send me to Syria.'

Public opinion was divided into 'We must bring our people back alive' and 'We must never negotiate'.

- No matter how hateful they are, they are our people. The government must step up and save them!

- We must prevent death at least ㅜㅜ

- It is true that they did wrong. But they didn't commit a crime worthy of death, did they?

- I also agree with punishment. It is right to bring them back to our country alive first and then punish them.

- Negotiation is submission to terrorists! Absolutely not!

- Wouldn't it be solved if Kang Jin-hoo just paid the money?

- If we give money to Al-Syria, they'll use that money to rearm, won't they? Why don't we just support terrorist groups with taxpayers' money?

- This happened because we paid money to bring them back during the Pond Church incident. If we had responded strongly to the terrorist group back then, would the same thing have happened?

- Leaving aside Syria, there are many missionaries doing missionary work in Africa or remote mountainous areas. If we pay the ransom this time, they will also be in the same danger.

- Did they go for missionary work or martyrdom...

- But what's with His Excellency suddenly? Does he want to travel to Syria?

- Awesome! I was moved by His Excellency's sacrifice!

- Since it's come to this, there's no choice! Send His Excellency to Syria!

- If you were Al-Syria, would you accept His Excellency?

***

Al-Syria publicly pressured me to pay the ransom. Naturally, I have no reason to give it, and I shouldn't give it. Just as I was about to ignore it, another problem arose.

Eight months ago, pirates hijacked a fishing boat in the high seas off Somalia and kidnapped two Koreans.

Negotiations didn't go well, so the hostages are still detained in Somalia, but the pirates suddenly issued a statement demanding money from me.

They even billed me for the ransom of five Indonesian crew members captured with them! The amount was 1 million dollars per person, totaling 7 million dollars. Still, they had a conscience and asked for less than Al-Syria. Taek-gyu looked at the emails that came to the company and said.

"Oh! Another one came! Boko Haram in Nigeria and Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao also say they will release hostages if we give money."

I said, dumbfounded.

"Do these sons of bitches think I'm an ATM?"

At this rate, criminal organizations all over the world are going to send me bills.

Taek-gyu looked at me and asked.

"Are you going to stay still like this?"

"Then?"

"You should teach those Al-Syria kids what insiljot is."

For reference, insiljot is Taek-gyu's life motto.

"How?"

"You have to think about that."

"..."

Anyway, since I received the bill, I can't just sit still.

I contacted someone I know.

"If you're not busy, can we meet for a moment?"

I welcomed the guest in the conference room.

Currently, the government is putting all state affairs aside and pouring all its efforts into resolving the mission team kidnapping incident. Since the Korean government's diplomatic ability is being tested, the Minister of Foreign Affairs must also be extremely busy.

Nevertheless, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol rushed to the OTK Company headquarters avoiding people's eyes as soon as he received my call.

He said with a very tired expression.

"They keep bringing up CEO Kang Jin-hoo, perhaps to pressure the government. They say CEO Kang Jin-hoo must pay 10 million dollars first to start negotiations. If the conditions are not met, they say they will behead one person in three days. We are doing our best on our side, but most neighboring countries, including Syria, are expressing concern about negotiations."

If the Korean government pays a huge sum to rescue the hostages, Al-Syria will buy weapons and increase its members with that money.

It becomes tantamount to supporting terrorism. This will lead to more terrorism and kidnappings, and could endanger not only Koreans but also other foreigners.

Since it is difficult to push for negotiations in a situation where neighboring countries oppose it, the Korean government was in a dilemma even after dispatching a negotiation team.

"Moreover, the situation in Syria is so messy that proper negotiations cannot be held."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol explained the situation in Syria.

As everyone knows, Syria is in a civil war.

Political and religious reasons were very intricately intertwined in this civil war.

Currently, the president of Syria is Bashar al-Assad.

But this Assad regime is a dictatorship and a mess, hard to believe it exists in the 21st century. Therefore, the rebels waged an armed struggle with the goal of overthrowing the Assad regime.

Seen this way, they look like righteous patriots resisting a dictatorship... but these rebels are as messy as the Assad regime and are Islamic fundamentalists opposed to secularism.

As can be seen from the fact that the New World Church mission team went there, Syria is the center of early Christianity, and the capital, Damascus, is a representative holy site. Also, 10 percent of the population is Christian. The Assad regime advocates the separation of church and state and secularism, and protects them.

What if the rebels win?

Then a massacre of Christians and minority sects will take place, and Syria will be ruled by Islamic fundamentalists.

Since there is no hope whoever wins, it was difficult for European countries to side with either one.

Moreover, the Syrian civil war involves IS remnants and Kurds. Al-Nusra Front or Al-Syria frequently engage in looting and terrorism, and the Kurds are engaged in an armed struggle to establish a state and become independent.

This alone is complicated enough, but depending on the situation, there is a possibility that Israel and Turkey will intervene militarily.

That's why the civil war is hard to end easily.

I knew roughly about it, but hearing it like this, it's really serious.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol sighed openly.

"I am also a Protestant and go to church, but I do not agree with that kind of missionary work. This must be the same for all church members."

I nodded.

"I suppose so."

Missionary work is basically a good thing. Mission teams sent by religious organizations cooperate with local governments and civic groups in underdeveloped countries in Africa to do volunteer work such as education and medical care, and spread faith.

This is a great help to the people in that region and has a great effect in creating a positive image of Korea.

The problem is when they go to do missionary work in places where they are told not to go, like now.

The mission team also knew that Syria was a travel-banned area. Since there are no flights there, they went to Istanbul first, moved to Ankara from there, and then crossed the border into Syria.

"The purpose of departure was also strictly travel. If they had revealed from the beginning that the destination was Syria and the purpose was missionary work, departure itself would have been impossible."

To voluntarily go to a place where others wouldn't go even if paid. No, was this pushed by the New World Church?

Anyway, now that they are caught, they are making a fuss about why they aren't being rescued.

Taek-gyu said slyly.

"Since they went to do missionary work risking their lives, wouldn't it be for their sake to just let them be martyred there?" Minister Kim Seong-cheol sighed.

"I want to tell them to do that too, if I could follow my heart. But the government can't do that, can it?"

Seeing him subtly reveal his inner thoughts, it seems he feels quite comfortable with us.

"What does the President think?"

"He said we must save them no matter what, since they are our citizens."

As a government, naturally, the lives of the people must be prioritized. But paying the ransom is the worst choice.

Another way is to launch a military operation to rescue the hostages.

Many countries do that too.

Taek-gyu asked.

"What about deploying special forces to rescue the hostages?"

"We reviewed that method too, but there are a few problems."

At that moment, I remembered something. Even when the Pond Church mission team was kidnapped, a rescue operation was considered, and special forces were actually sent to Afghanistan.

"Are special forces currently in Syria?"

At my question, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol looked troubled.

"That is not a matter I can discuss."

This must be a secret that cannot be told to civilians.

"They are threatening to kill people if I don't pay. Others are doing the same, thinking this is their chance. I don't intend to sit still like this. If you came because you need my help anyway, don't I need to know the situation too?"

After agonizing for a moment, he opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

"Special forces moved for the operation, but we did not receive permission from the Syrian government. Currently, they are waiting in Lebanon where the peacekeeping forces are."

No matter how many of its own citizens are held hostage, Syria is strictly another country. To deploy military units and carry out military operations, permission must be obtained from the local government. But despite the Korean government's request, the Syrian government delayed its answer day after day.

There are two reasons for this. First, Syria is a country with which Korea has no diplomatic relations. It is not easy to allow troops from a country that is not even an ally, let alone a diplomatic partner, into its territory.

Second, there is a risk of retaliation such as terrorism or kidnapping later if they let Korean special forces in and mess with Al-Syria for no reason.

"What is the probability of success if a rescue operation is launched?"

Due to the nature of being a divided country and a truce country, South Korean special forces have combat power that does not fall behind any country.

"Information is the most important thing in a hostage rescue operation. But our military has no experience conducting operations in the Middle East. Even if we defeat Al-Syria, what use is it if all the hostages die in the meantime? In the worst case, both hostages and soldiers could die. That's why we gave up on the rescue operation during the Pond Church incident and paid the ransom to bring them back."

"I see."

But come to think of it, didn't the same thing happen because we handled it that way back then?

***

TL/Notes:

"Insiljot" (인실좆) is a Korean slang abbreviation for "Teaching someone the bitter reality of life (usually through legal or severe consequences)." It implies making someone face the harsh consequences of their actions.