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| S Korea in Taleban hostage talks | S Korea in Taleban hostage talks |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| South Korean officials have begun their first face-to-face talks with Taleban militants on the fate of 21 Christian hostages, Afghan officials say. | South Korean officials have begun their first face-to-face talks with Taleban militants on the fate of 21 Christian hostages, Afghan officials say. |
| The talks were being held in the city of Ghazni, a senior official in the province told the BBC. | The talks were being held in the city of Ghazni, a senior official in the province told the BBC. |
| The official said he was optimistic about the outcome of the talks. | |
| Two of the South Koreans have been killed, and the Taleban have threatened to kill more of them if a number of militants are not released from prison. | Two of the South Koreans have been killed, and the Taleban have threatened to kill more of them if a number of militants are not released from prison. |
| Earlier the Taleban said the Afghan government had provided a written promise of safe passage to two of their top leaders, so that they could attend the talks. | Earlier the Taleban said the Afghan government had provided a written promise of safe passage to two of their top leaders, so that they could attend the talks. |
| The government had provided security for the talks, but was not involved in the meeting, the Afghan official told the BBC. | |
| HOSTAGE TIMELINE 19 July: 23 South Korean Christian aid workers seized on bus in Ghazni province26 July: Body of hostage Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu is found31 July: Second hostage Shim Sung-min, 29, found shot dead 10 August: South Korean officials and Taleban start talks S Korea agonises on hostages | HOSTAGE TIMELINE 19 July: 23 South Korean Christian aid workers seized on bus in Ghazni province26 July: Body of hostage Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu is found31 July: Second hostage Shim Sung-min, 29, found shot dead 10 August: South Korean officials and Taleban start talks S Korea agonises on hostages |
| Twenty-three South Koreans - most of them women - were seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar. | Twenty-three South Koreans - most of them women - were seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar. |
| Two men in the group, including the leader, were killed by their captors within the first fortnight of captivity. | |
| The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans. | The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans. |
| Officials say military force could be used to free the group if the talks fail. | Officials say military force could be used to free the group if the talks fail. |
| The South Korean government has repeatedly said it is opposed to direct military action. | The South Korean government has repeatedly said it is opposed to direct military action. |
| It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni city centre. |