GHAZNI, Afghanistan (ABP) — The Taliban released 12 more South Korean Christians Aug. 29, after holding them hostage for six weeks.
Red Cross officials picked up the 10 women and two men near Ghazni, about 80 miles from Kabul. The Red Cross had facilitated negotiations between the Taliban and South Korean government over the hostages.
As part of the agreement for the release, South Korea has agreed to withdraw 200 soldiers from Afghanistan by December 31 and halt “Christian missionary activities” in Afghanistan, according to press reports.
The Associated Press reported that, as of Aug. 29, Taliban officials had pledged to release the remaining seven Korean hostages. Of the original group of 23 who were kidnapped, two were executed and two had already been released.
The kidnapping victims were all members of Saemmul Community Church in Bundang, South Korea. Their leader, Bae Hyung-Kyu, 42, was found dead July 25. A second hostage, Shim Sung-min, 29, was reported dead July 31. The two other hostages were released Aug. 12.
The hostages was abducted July 19 when rebels stopped their bus on a road from Kabul to Kandahar.
Many of the workers were women who worked as nurses and teachers. The group has denied working as evangelists, instead saying they were providing social services in the war-torn country.
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Read more:
Taliban reportedly releases two of Korean hostages (8/13/07)
2nd Korean Christian hostage killed; Taliban set new exchange deadline (7/31/07)
Christian hostages in Afghanistan wait as Korean official tries to win release (7/26/07)