Posted on 08/13/2007 10:26:13 AM PDT by HAL9000
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- Two of 21 South Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan have been released and moved to a safe area, a spokesman for the South Korean Foreign Ministry said Monday.The released hostages are Kim Gina, 32, and Kim Kyung-ja, 37, ministry spokesman Cho Hee-yong told reporters.
The two, Cho said, "were released on Aug. 13 and have been handed over to our side."
"We feel fortunate that at least some of the hostages have been released, but we again urge the kidnappers to immediately release all our citizens they hold hostage," the ministry spokesman said in a press briefing.
Foreign Minister Song Min-soon welcomed the release of the hostages and said the government is "moving to win the rest of our citizens held hostage through various means."
The released were part of a 23-member aid group that was seized on July 19 while traveling to the southern city of Kandahar. Two male members of the group, including its 42-year-old leader Bae Hyung-kyu, were shot to death.
South Korea's presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, also welcomed the release of the women but expressed regrets over the "continued captivity of the remaining 19."
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(Excerpt) Read more at english.yonhapnews.co.kr ...
Prayers for these hostages.
Hey Hal I hear one of them is sick that probably reason they release them
Thank You, God! 2 down, 19 to go!
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