Taliban Frees 2 South Korean Hostages

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»

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»

(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»

Taliban, Seoul agree on terms, including withdrawal of troops

(NEWSER) - Talks between the Taliban and the South Korean government have resulted in the outline of a deal to release the remaining 19 hostages held in Afghanistan for over a month. The agreement involves withdrawal of Korea's 200 noncombat troops and an end to missionary activity, CNN reports, but not payment of ransom. Their release may not be imminent. More»

Taliban says demands not met; group is considering the fate of 19 captives

(NEWSER) - As the 19 remaining Korean hostages await news of their fate, negotiations to secure their release have failed, according to a Taliban spokesman. The terror group says its principal demand—the liberation of insurgents being held by coalition forces—was not met; South Korean officials have insisted Seoul has no power to release captured them. More»