An Iraqi insurgent group that killed South Korean hostage Kim Sun-il last month has posted a message on its Web site, indicating the killing was linked to Kim's religion.

The group calling itself Tawhid wa al-Jihad, meaning Unification and Holy War, posted pictures of the 33-year-old Arabic translator before and after he was beheaded. One of the latter pictures reportedly showed Kim's head lying on the floor.

In a message posted on the Web site, the group said that they had killed an infidel who tried to propagate Christianity in Iraq, adding "Kim studied theology and was preparing to become a missionary in the Islamic world."

The group also accused Gana General Trading Co., the company Kim worked for, of being affiliated with Christianity and condemned the company's contribution of 10 percent of its profits to missionary work.