Twelve of the nineteen South Korean hostages held by the Taliban have been released. The hostages were released into the care of the International Committee of the Red Cross in small groups at three different locations in central Afghanistan. The Taliban said they would release the seven remaining hostages within the next few days.
At first, South Korea had vowed not to engage in direct talks with Taliban terrorists who had threatened to kill the missionary hostages. However, following the murder of two of the hostages as a result of failed negotiations between the terrorists and the Afghan government late last month, the South Korean government began direct negotiations with the kidnappers.
Of course, this is good news for the missionaries and their families and I’m happy they’re safe. Still, although the hostages-for-prisoners deal fell through, the Taliban can still claim victory.
They certainly didn’t lose, did they?
Tags: hostages, Red Cross, ROK, South Korea, Taliban, Terrorism
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