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Taleban release S Korean hostages Taleban release S Korean hostages
(10 minutes later)
Taleban rebels in Afghanistan have freed three more South Korean hostages from a group of 19 they have been holding for more than a month.Taleban rebels in Afghanistan have freed three more South Korean hostages from a group of 19 they have been holding for more than a month.
The three hostages, all women, were released near the edge of the central town of Ghazni, a BBC reporter at the scene said.The three hostages, all women, were released near the edge of the central town of Ghazni, a BBC reporter at the scene said.
The three, said to be in good health, were later handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross.The three, said to be in good health, were later handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Koreans, who work for a Christian charity, were kidnapped in July.The Koreans, who work for a Christian charity, were kidnapped in July.
Haji Zahir, a tribal elder who has been acting as a mediator in efforts to secure the Koreans' release, told the BBC he and two other elders had travelled to meet the Taleban and bring the women by car to Ghazni.Haji Zahir, a tribal elder who has been acting as a mediator in efforts to secure the Koreans' release, told the BBC he and two other elders had travelled to meet the Taleban and bring the women by car to Ghazni.
The releases come a day after the South Korean government said it had reached a deal with the Taleban.The releases come a day after the South Korean government said it had reached a deal with the Taleban.
South Korea has agreed to withdraw troops from Afghanistan as scheduled by the end of the year.South Korea has agreed to withdraw troops from Afghanistan as scheduled by the end of the year.
It also said it would end all missionary work in the country and stop its citizens from travelling there.It also said it would end all missionary work in the country and stop its citizens from travelling there.
There has been no mention of money being paid, but it is thought that a ransom may have been part of the deal, says the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul.There has been no mention of money being paid, but it is thought that a ransom may have been part of the deal, says the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul.
A Taleban representative, Mullah Basheer, earlier announced all 19 would be released in the coming week.A Taleban representative, Mullah Basheer, earlier announced all 19 would be released in the coming week.
"One group will be released today, I cannot tell you the number, but a group will be released," he said."One group will be released today, I cannot tell you the number, but a group will be released," he said.
"Others will also be released step by step, but they will be released for sure. One of our main demands has not been accepted, but our other demands were welcomed. All of the Koreans will be released in less than a week.""Others will also be released step by step, but they will be released for sure. One of our main demands has not been accepted, but our other demands were welcomed. All of the Koreans will be released in less than a week."
The Taleban appear to have dropped their earlier demand that Taleban members be released from Afghan prisons in exchange for the hostages' freedom.The Taleban appear to have dropped their earlier demand that Taleban members be released from Afghan prisons in exchange for the hostages' freedom.
Motorway kidnapMotorway kidnap
The South Korean Christians were doing voluntary work in Afghanistan
The militants kidnapped 23 South Koreans, who worked for a Christian charity, on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main Kandahar to Kabul highway.The militants kidnapped 23 South Koreans, who worked for a Christian charity, on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main Kandahar to Kabul highway.
They subsequently killed two male hostages and later freed two women following a first round of talks.They subsequently killed two male hostages and later freed two women following a first round of talks.
The hostages are thought to be held in several different locations in Ghazni province.The hostages are thought to be held in several different locations in Ghazni province.
Some 200 South Korean non-combat personnel are deployed in the country to help with reconstruction efforts. Seoul had already decided, before the kidnap, to end the deployment.Some 200 South Korean non-combat personnel are deployed in the country to help with reconstruction efforts. Seoul had already decided, before the kidnap, to end the deployment.