Last South Korean Hostages Reported Released

One of the hostages after his release on August 29 (AFP) August 30, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Reports from Afghanistan say Taliban militants have released the last hostages from a group of South Korean aid workers kidnapped nearly six weeks ago.

An Afghan tribal elder, Haji Zahir Kharoti, earlier today told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that four hostages had been handed over to him, and that he was preparing to receive the remaining three.


A total of 23 South Korean aid workers were seized in Ghazni Province in July. The militants released a group of hostages on August 29, after earlier releasing two captives and killing two others.


Under a deal this week between South Korea and the Taliban, Seoul promised to withdraw its 200 troops in the country by the end of the year and ban all missionary activities by South Koreans in Afghanistan.


(compiled from agency reports)



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