Suicidal Terrorist Bombing Hits Korean Tourists in Sinai Peninsula
2014-02-19 10:31
A suicide bombing hit a bus full of Chungbuk Jincheon Jungang Church members who were on a Holy Land group pilgrimage on February 16, local time, killing three Koreans including a church member and a local travel guide. The church, through a news briefing, announced at 4:30 a.m. on February 17, Korea local time, “There was a terrorist bombing during departure procedures near the Egyptian border at 9:20 p.m. on February 16th, Korea local time. Ms. Kim was killed and other members who were injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals and are receiving treatment.” The church explained that there were 31 church members (11 men and 20 women) who went on this pilgrimage. They left on the 10th and were planning to return to Korea on February 21 after visiting places mentioned in the Bible, in Turkey, Egypt, and Israel.
The church members who heard the news could not sleep that night. 50 or 60 members gathered at the church early the next morning. Senior pastor Lee Ik-sang led the 5 o’clock prayer service, in place of Rev. Kim Dong-hwan, who is leading the pilgrimage group. Rev. Lee told the church members, “When faced with difficulties, church members should come together even more and comfort the family members of those in the accident.”
The church members prayed for the well-being and safe return of the remaining members. They particularly extended condolences to the family of Deacon Kim Hong-yeol (64), who lost her life in the accident. Elder Lee Dae-sung of Jincheon Jungang Church said, “Deacon Kim was the most sincere member, most faithful to her calling.” Even after the service, some members stayed at church and prayed.
A funeral place for Deacon Kim was prepared from 7 p.m. on the first floor of the church. Approximately 100 Jincheon Jungang Church members and local Christian figures visited and expressed their sympathy.
At 8 o’clock in the evening, the church held an emergency prayer service in the main chapel on the second floor, at which approximately 100 members gathered. They prayed that God would give strength to their fellow believers who were hurt physically and spiritually and bring peace to their families. They also prayed that “God would help us all realize God’s message to Jincheon Jungang Church and the Korean church through this incident.”
Jincheon Jungang Church is a member of PCK Tonghap. It is the first Presbyterian church in Jincheon region in Chungbuk and celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Its first pastor was dispatched from Youngnak Church in Seoul. Since the 1970s, Jincheon Jungang Church has planted nine churches in the region, and has been supporting various underprivileged groups. Since 1996, the church has been carrying out programs, including Korean classes, for immigrant workers from China and Pakistan, and there are approximately 150 immigrant members in the church. As of the end of 2012, the church has 1,440 registered members.
Reporters Lee Saya (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr) from Jincheon, Pyeong Seon Jeon, Jaechan Park, and Paek Sang-hyun, Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Click here for the original article 1 in Korean
Click here for the original article 2 in Korean
Click here for the original article 3 in Korean
