Taliban Seoul Denies Military Operation

The government denied Sunday the report that Afghan security forces and international troops launched an operation to rescue 23 Koreans held hostage by Taliban militants.

The denial came after the AFP reported that the troops surrounded Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan in preparation for a possible rescue mission after militants threatened to kill 23 South Korean hostages by sunset. Taliban insurgents will kill the Korean hostages if the operation is made, Al Jazeera reported.

However, officials in Seoul stressed that there would be no military operation without prior discussion between the Korean and Afghan governments. Seoul has been opposed to any operation, which may threaten the Korean abductees.