What could one 20-something lady have done (20 years ago) to warrant such hatred?

Born in North Korea in 1962 to a privileged family, Kim was soon discovered to be a talented child. She was bright and beautiful and eventually got the attention of the powers in Pyongyang. Normally for one to be praised by one's government is a happy thing, but in North Korea none of the rules apply.

Grabbed from her family against their will and better judgment, Kim was trained to be a spy. After the normal introductory assignments she was given one last mission: she was to help bomb a passenger jet coming in to Seoul, filled with South Koreans. This would convince the powers that be that the Olympic games should never be held in Seoul. Somehow this would lead to the reunification of the Koreas.

I know, it's a stretch. But that is what she was told. And raised to believe that the ruling powers were all-wise, she bought it. Her partner was a long-time professional, and the two of them posed as Japanese tourists. On their return to Korea, they planted a bomb on KAL flight 858.

Now you know who she is?

Mistakes were made. The two were caught. The old man killed himself. Kim tried, but to no avail. She was brought to trial in Seoul. Found guilty. Then pardoned by the government of Seoul!

We are told that the South Korean President was politically motivated in his decision to pardon Kim. His reasoning to the world was: The persons who ought to be on trial here are Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. This child is as much a victim of this evil regime as the passengers aboard KAL 858.

And who can argue with his reasoning?

Kim truly repented of her actions both before the trial and after. She was led to see that she had been lied to all of her life. One look at Seoul told her most of what she needed.

She wrote a book I think you should read. All the proceeds from it went to families of victims. Though I write all of this today with a calm, almost cold, reporter's way, when I read her book I was -as I have often been over the last months - a basket case. Aptly named "The Tears of My Soul" the book will extract the tears from your soul, too.

Oh, did I mention? Kim Hyun Hee gave her life to Jesus Christ after these horrible events. Whether some will ever be able to forgive her is uncertain, but God has.