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Taleban 'agree to free hostages' Taleban 'agree to free hostages'
(about 1 hour later)
Taleban fighters have agreed to release 19 South Korean hostages held for more than five weeks in Afghanistan, the South Korean president's office says.Taleban fighters have agreed to release 19 South Korean hostages held for more than five weeks in Afghanistan, the South Korean president's office says.
Spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said the agreement was reached on condition that Seoul withdrew its troops as scheduled from Afghanistan by the year's end.Spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said the agreement was reached on condition that Seoul withdrew its troops as scheduled from Afghanistan by the year's end.
The Taleban kidnapped 23 South Korean Christian charity workers from Ghazni province on 19 July.The Taleban kidnapped 23 South Korean Christian charity workers from Ghazni province on 19 July.
They subsequently killed two male hostages, and released two women.They subsequently killed two male hostages, and released two women.
AFP news agency reported an Afghan tribal chief as saying that the hostages would be freed "in three or four days". An Afghan tribal chief said that the hostages would be freed "in three or four days", AFP news agency reported, but the Taleban have not yet confirmed any agreement.
But Mr Cheon said the exact timing of their release could not yet be confirmed, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted Mr Cheon as saying the exact timing of their release could not yet be confirmed.
Mr Cheon also said South Korea had agreed to a ban on its nationals' Christian missionary work in the country.Mr Cheon also said South Korea had agreed to a ban on its nationals' Christian missionary work in the country.
Direct talks Koreans rejoice
Despite the uncertainty, the hostages' impending release was greeted with celebrations in South Korea, where families have been waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
Kim Kyung-ja (left) and Kim Ji-na were freed earlier this month
Cho Myung-ho, whose 28-year-old daughter Lee Joo-yeon is being held hostage, told the Associated Press: "I would like to dance."
The Christian church that the hostages belonged to, near Seoul, said all the families were "rejoicing".
"They are busy calling other family members and friends at the moment to pass the news," Bang Yong-kyun, pastor at the Saemmul Church, told Reuters.
Tuesday's agreement came after South Korean negotiators met Taleban representatives in the central town of Ghazni.Tuesday's agreement came after South Korean negotiators met Taleban representatives in the central town of Ghazni.
Tribal elders and two diplomats from the Indonesian embassy in Kabul also took part in the talks.Tribal elders and two diplomats from the Indonesian embassy in Kabul also took part in the talks.
Withdrawal plan
It was the fourth time the two sides had held direct negotiations - all of meetings being mediated by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross.It was the fourth time the two sides had held direct negotiations - all of meetings being mediated by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
But it was the first time the sides had met since two of the female hostages were freed two weeks ago.But it was the first time the sides had met since two of the female hostages were freed two weeks ago.
The South Koreans were seized in Ghazni province as they travelled by bus along the main Kandahar to Kabul highway.The South Koreans were seized in Ghazni province as they travelled by bus along the main Kandahar to Kabul highway.
In late July, the Taleban murdered two of the male hostages - the group's pastor, 42-year-old Bae Hyung-kyu, and former IT worker Shim Sung-min, 29.In late July, the Taleban murdered two of the male hostages - the group's pastor, 42-year-old Bae Hyung-kyu, and former IT worker Shim Sung-min, 29.
Seoul had already said it planned to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.Seoul had already said it planned to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.
Some 200 South Korean soldiers are deployed in the country to help with reconstruction efforts. Some 200 South Korean non-combat personnel are deployed in the country to help with reconstruction efforts.