Taliban Seoul Welcomes Release
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
The Korean government hailed Monday the release of two female hostages, Kim Gyeong-ja, 37, and Kim Ji-na, 32, by Taliban militants after 26 days of captivity in Afghanistan.
``We are relieved that some of the hostages have been released, and we urge again the kidnappers to free the remaining hostages,’’ said Cho Hee-yong, spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Cho said that the women were transported to a safe place under the protection of the Korean government and will soon have a physical checkup.
Another government official said, on the condition of anonymity, said that they are now staying in a multinational forces military base in Ghazni Province, where the Taliban had kidnapped the Koreans on July 19. He added that the two women can walk and seem to have no problem with their health.
The hostages will be moved to a Korean military base in Bagram before returning home.