Seoul Pleads for Taliban Talks

More will die unless prisoners are freed, kidnappers warn

(NEWSER) - Afghan police have found the body of a second Korean hostage killed by the Taliban, Reuters reports. The man was shot in the head, and his body found in a clover field close to the spot where 23 Korean missionaries were kidnapped last week. The kidnappers have threatened to kill more hostages unless the Afghan government releases all Taliban rebel prisoners by tomorrow. More»

Taliban freeing prisoners after reaching a deal with South Korea

(NEWSER) - The Taliban released eight hostages today, a day after reaching a deal with the South Korean government. Three who were released earlier this morning were brought to the town of Ghazni by tribal elders—acting as mediators—then handed over to the Red Cross. South Korea has agreed to pull out its troops from Afghanistan (as already planned) and stop its citizens from traveling there. More»

Women in Red Cross custody after roadside hand-over

(NEWSER) - The Taliban freed two of the South Korean hostages abducted in Afghanistan today, releasing them to the Red Cross in Ghazni province, the Telegraph reports. A BBC reporter saw the two women, who were reported to be in "fair" health and were released after talks with South Korean negotiators. Two of the 23 prisoners have already been killed. More»

(NEWSER) - The Taliban has killed a second South Korean hostage, a spokesman for the extremist group told CNN in a telephone interview today, adding that the corpse was dropped off in the province of Ghazni in central Afghanistan. Officials have not located any bodies in that area. The militants already murdered a 42-year old pastor, one of the 23 church group members who were kidnapped 11 days ago. More»

Karzai blasts Taliban, saying abductions are 'against Islam'

(NEWSER) - The Taliban will kill 22 South Korean hostages tomorrow if the Afghan government does not release insurgent prisoners, a spokesman for the kidnappers said today. The Taliban leadership council issued the most recent death threat since the abductions Wednesday, signaling its seriousness, Reuters reports. And Afghan and foreign troops are stationed in Ghazni, where the hostages are being held. More»