The chief presidential secretary for foreign and security affairs met with families of the hostages at a Seoul restaurant Saturday for the first time since they were held by the Taliban in Afghanistan on July 19 amid reports that they are likely to get freed soon.
“Chief security secretary Baek Jong-cheon explained outcome of his visit to Afghanistan and the government’s efforts to help the abductees get freed in both direct and indirect manner to their family members over lunch for one hour from noon,” presidential spokesman Chun Ho-seon told reporters.
Baek talked with Afghan President Hamid Karzai about ways of seeking release of 21 Korean hostages on July 29 during his visit to Kabul as a presidential envoy over the hostages. He returned to Seoul on Aug. 3. Baek also informed them of the talks in person with the insurgents,” Chun said.
”We talked with secretary Baek about basic matters on the abductees. Baek said, ‘I’m sorry for calling on you late. Let’s wait a little more as the negotiations have been under way since Friday,’” said a family member of one of the kidnapped.
After the lunch, Cha Sung-min, representative of the families of the hostages, cancelled his scheduled visit to Dubai, saying, “I’ll wait a little as the negotiations have been under way. He was scheduled to fly for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a flight at 4 p.m. However, he did not unveil details about the lunch meeting.