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Taleban release S Korean hostages Taleban release S Korean hostages
(about 3 hours later)
Taleban rebels in Afghanistan have freed eight South Korean hostages from a group of 19 they have been holding for five weeks. Taleban rebels in Afghanistan have freed four more South Korean hostages - meaning 12 of the 19 they were holding were released on Wednesday.
Three women hostages were released first, in the central town of Ghazni. This third group of three women and a man was said to be "hugely relieved".
Four women and one man were later freed a few miles away, in the Shabaz area of Ghazni province. All eight are said to be in good health. Three women were released initially, followed by a second group of four women and one man. All eight were said to be in good health.
The Koreans, who work for a Christian charity, were kidnapped on 19 July as they travelled on a motorway. Seven hostages remain in the hands of the Taleban, out of 23 South Koreans seized nearly six weeks ago.
The eight hostages were released with the mediation of tribal elders in two separate locations. Two were released earlier, and two were killed by their captors.
They were handed over to officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross and were then taken to meet South Korean government officials in Ghazni. In total, 10 women and two men were released on Wednesday.
Deal The Taleban said the remaining hostages would be released soon.
The groups of hostages were released with the mediation of tribal elders in separate locations.
The first two groups of hostages were handed over to officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross and were then taken to meet South Korean government officials in Ghazni.
Haji Zahir, a tribal elder who has been acting as a mediator, told the BBC he and two other elders had travelled to meet the Taleban and bring the first three women by car to Ghazni.Haji Zahir, a tribal elder who has been acting as a mediator, told the BBC he and two other elders had travelled to meet the Taleban and bring the first three women by car to Ghazni.
The second group of hostages was then released in the Shabaz area of Ghazni province, close to the village of Ghazni itself.
Deal
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.
The South Koreans were doing voluntary work in Afghanistan S Koreans question mission S Korea agony over hostagesThe South Koreans were doing voluntary work in Afghanistan S Koreans question mission S Korea agony over hostages
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.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.
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.
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.
A Taleban representative, Mullah Basheer, said all 19 would be released "step by step" in the coming week.A Taleban representative, Mullah Basheer, said all 19 would be released "step by step" in the coming week.
"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.""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."
Hostages killedHostages killed
The militants kidnapped 23 South Koreans on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main Kandahar to Kabul highway.The militants kidnapped 23 South Koreans 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.