Taleban Releases 2 of 21 South Korean Hostages Held in Afghanistan
Seoul
13 August 2007
South Korea says two hostages freed by Taleban insurgents in Afghanistan are now under South Korean protection. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul.
An Afghan nightmare is over for 37-year-old Kim Kyung- Ja and 32-year-old Kim Ji-na.
The two were released by Taleban insurgents who kidnapped them nearly a month ago in Afghanistan. They had been reported to be ill.
South Korean Foreign Ministry Spokesman Cho Hee-yong says they are now in South Korean protection, after being transported to a safe area by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
He says South Korea is relieved that the two women are safe. He calls on Taleban militants to free the rest of the hostages immediately.
Taleban insurgents seized a total of 23 South Korean hostages last month as they traveled in Afghanistan for Christian volunteer work. They executed two of the male hostages. Nineteen remain in captivity, most of them female.
The kidnappers have warned they will kill more hostages if Taleban comrades are not released from Afghan prisons.
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