12 Korean Hostages Released by Taleban
Following recent confirmation given of its intentions to do so, on the 29th August 2007, the Taleban released a number of the twenty three South Korean hostages previously within its capture. In the latest, breaking news, a third group comprised of one man and three women was released earlier today. Upon gaining this freedom, the quartet was said to be "hugely relieved". Their departure followed that of an initial three women, after which the second wave of one man and four women left. This leaves seven hostages still held by the Taleban, following the 23's capture in July. The four so far not mentioned were either previously released or killed.
According to the Taleban, the remaining contingent would soon also be released. This hope was elaborated on by a spokesman from the militant terrorist group, who cited Thursday 30th August as the date by when all those taken hostage would have been freed.
The 23 South Koreans that have now come under the world's spotlight were snatched from a bus on July 19th while in the province of Ghazni. The captors firstly demanded that certain members of the Taleban, which Afghanistan was holding prisoner, be set free immediately. Commenting today, a spokesman from the group stated that this demand was dropped when it became apparent that South Korea was unable to place the pressure on the Afghan government to act on the terrorists' demands.
According to the Blue House - the home of the South Korean government - the ultimate condition for the prisoners' release was that the nation remove its Afghanistan troop deployment by August 2008. Additionally, that South Korea prevented its nationals from carrying out missionary work in the area.
However, a decision had already been made by South Korea that it would pull back its 200-strong contingent of medical workers and engineers from Afghanistan by year-end.
A spokesman commenting on behalf of Chon Ho-seon - the President of South Korea - offered no comment on whether a financial incentive also formed part of the deal, but merely stated that the necessary obligations had been fulfilled. "We believe it is any country's responsibility to respond with flexibility to save lives as long as you don't depart too far from the principles and practice of the international community", he said.
Source - Security International's Middle East Correspondent
