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Version 5 Version 6
Freed South Koreans return home Freed South Koreans return home
(about 1 hour later)
The 19 South Korean church workers freed from captivity in Afghanistan have arrived home, after being held by the Taleban for six weeks.The 19 South Korean church workers freed from captivity in Afghanistan have arrived home, after being held by the Taleban for six weeks.
Speaking on their arrival, several of the former hostages said they were very sorry for the trouble they had caused.Speaking on their arrival, several of the former hostages said they were very sorry for the trouble they had caused.
Of the 23 Koreans snatched on 19 July by the Taleban, two were murdered and two were freed earlier. Seoul denies paying a ransom for their release.Of the 23 Koreans snatched on 19 July by the Taleban, two were murdered and two were freed earlier. Seoul denies paying a ransom for their release.
The release was negotiated by South Korean officials earlier this week.The release was negotiated by South Korean officials earlier this week.
HOSTAGE TIMELINE 19 July: 23 South Korean Christian volunteer aid workers seized on a bus between Kabul and Kandahar 26 July: One male hostage shot dead - identified as Bae Hyung-kyu, 42, a church pastor and leader of the group31 July: Another male hostage, Shim Sung-min, a 29-year-old former IT worker, found dead10 August: South Korean officials and Taleban start talks14 August: Two female hostages handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross as a goodwill gesture - leaving 1929 August: 12 more hostages released - leaving seven30 August: All remaining hostages released Hostage release in pictures S Korea press wary over dealHOSTAGE TIMELINE 19 July: 23 South Korean Christian volunteer aid workers seized on a bus between Kabul and Kandahar 26 July: One male hostage shot dead - identified as Bae Hyung-kyu, 42, a church pastor and leader of the group31 July: Another male hostage, Shim Sung-min, a 29-year-old former IT worker, found dead10 August: South Korean officials and Taleban start talks14 August: Two female hostages handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross as a goodwill gesture - leaving 1929 August: 12 more hostages released - leaving seven30 August: All remaining hostages released Hostage release in pictures S Korea press wary over deal
"We apologise to the people for causing trouble and thank everyone who helped us return home safely," one of the hostages, Yu Kyeong-Sik, said at South Korea's Incheon airport. Carrying portraits of their two colleagues executed by the Taleban, the former hostages looked pale and tired as they faced the waiting wall of television cameras at South Korea' s Incheon airport.
"We apologise to the people for causing trouble and thank everyone who helped us return home safely," one of the 19, Yu Kyeong-Sik, said.
"We owe the country and the people a great debt.""We owe the country and the people a great debt."
He cried as he paid homage to their two slain colleagues, saying "we will live our lives for them".He cried as he paid homage to their two slain colleagues, saying "we will live our lives for them".
They will be admitted to a hospital south of Seoul for health checks. Their body language in the arrivals hall - contrite bows and a carefully prepared statement - showed an awareness of the criticism they are facing at home, says the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul.
The former hostages are scheduled to have health checks at a hospital south of Seoul.
Their release was negotiated by South Korean officials, who had face-to-face meetings with the Taleban this week.Their release was negotiated by South Korean officials, who had face-to-face meetings with the Taleban this week.
Ransom allegations have been made by a number of Afghan officials.Ransom allegations have been made by a number of Afghan officials.
A Taleban representative in Ghazni province, where the hostages were held, told the BBC the South Korean government paid $20m (£10m) but two other Taleban sources told the BBC no ransom was paid.A Taleban representative in Ghazni province, where the hostages were held, told the BBC the South Korean government paid $20m (£10m) but two other Taleban sources told the BBC no ransom was paid.
There are strong indications that money was paid, correspondents say, although the sum is likely to have been considerably lower - Afghan officials have said a sum slightly under $1m (£500,000) was handed over.There are strong indications that money was paid, correspondents say, although the sum is likely to have been considerably lower - Afghan officials have said a sum slightly under $1m (£500,000) was handed over.
South Korea has denied the claims.South Korea has denied the claims.
Heightened fearsHeightened fears
Seoul said it agreed to pull its troops out of Afghanistan as scheduled by the end of the year, and stop missionaries travelling to Afghanistan.Seoul said it agreed to pull its troops out of Afghanistan as scheduled by the end of the year, and stop missionaries travelling to Afghanistan.
The BBC's Alastair Leithead, in Kabul, says the Taleban appear to have succeeded in this case - getting away with a kidnap and having their demands met.The BBC's Alastair Leithead, in Kabul, says the Taleban appear to have succeeded in this case - getting away with a kidnap and having their demands met.
There are now heightened fears that more kidnappings will follow, our correspondent says.There are now heightened fears that more kidnappings will follow, our correspondent says.
Their church has insisted the 23 Christians were doing aid work and were not involved in missionary activities.Their church has insisted the 23 Christians were doing aid work and were not involved in missionary activities.