By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Taliban militants Wednesday killed the Rev. Bae Hyung-kyu, one of 23 Korean hostages held in Afghanistan, according to Korean government officials.
The Rev. Bae, 42, of Saemmul Community Church led the group of volunteer workers to Afghanistan. He graduated from Hanyang University and earned his master's degree at Sogang University.
He studied at Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary before becoming ordained as a priest in 2001.
After providing volunteer services in Bangladesh in April, he led the group of young volunteers to Afghanistan.
He planned to visit Africa to assist the poor after his work in Afghanistan. He leaves behind his wife and younger daughter, who is currently attending elementary school.
Rev. Bae was the chief of Korean Foundation for World Aid, a non-government organization which is active in overseas volunteering activities.
The Rev. Bae and head priest Park Eun-jo founded the Saemmul church in 1998.