By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

After the tragic death of Kim Sun-il, the South Korean translator
kidnapped and later executed by Iraqi insurgents last week, people around the world are expressing their sorrow over Kim’s fate and extending condolences to his family.

While Koreans are holding candlelight vigils to mourn Kim’s death in Seoul and other cities, people abroad, regardless of nationality, are directing sympathetic messages to his family. Some have left messages on the bulletin board ``Send a Prayer for the Late Kim Sun-il’’ on The Korea Times’ homepage.

A Canadian named Brian said, ``My deepest condolences to the Kim family in this darkest of times. I pray that your son is at peace and that you may find peace too.’’

An American, identified as Pat, said, ``I want to share the Kim family’s grief, and just say the world does not have enough Sun-ils. He will be remembered, and from where he is now, I’m sure he feels we really miss him.’’

Another letter from an American living in Korea, named Jennifer, left the following message: ``May this terrible, terrible tragedy be the last to teach all nations and peoples the Christ message of mercy and peace.’’

Some people criticized the current world situation and expressed their wishes for world peace.

``We will have different views, traditions, and ways we go about our routines. It is inevitable that sometimes we will disagree. But we do share something in common: Earth,’’ a woman, who identified herself as Amy B., said.

A Bangladeshi named Nani wrote, ``I think not only Koreans but everyone in human society will get a lesson about terrorism. I am sure that irrespective of race, religion and nationality, everyone hates the terrorists who killed the innocent Kim. From this point of view, the late Kim achieved his goal of teaching peace through his death.’’

Meanwhile, some others denounced the South Korean government for not taking proper and timely measures to save Kim from his captors.

``I just can’t get over how this has all happened and it saddens me to see how governmental officials in Korea are still biting their nails about how this all has happened instead of comforting this poor family,’’ a Pusan-based foreigner named Ranee said.

Along with these messages of mourning, some addressed the government’s troop dispatch to Iraq, which provoked the insurgents to threaten the government and kill Kim. Some people demanded that the government scrap its plan to send 3,000 more soldiers to Iraq, while others insisted it should send the additional troops to take revenge on the terrorists.

An unidentified Korean suggested Kim would have died in vain if troops are sent to take revenge on those who killed him.

In contrast, another said, ``We have to send our soldiers to Iraq to catch Al-Zarqawi and kill him in the same way. You cannot be safe in your home as you don’t know when they will send terrorists to your country.’’

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr