South Korea's spy chief has refused to deny his government paid a ransom to the Taliban to release 19 hostages last week, a lawmaker said on Thursday.
His remarks are certain to fuel speculation that money was part of a deal to free South Korean Christian volunteers almost six weeks after they were seized by Afghan insurgents who had killed two of the captives.
"It is inappropriate to discuss whether a ransom was paid," a lawmaker quoted National Intelligence Service Director Kim Man-bok as telling a closed-door session of parliament's intelligence committee.
"It will be known later. I will speak at an appropriate time," Kim was quoted as saying when asked about the deal.
Kim has previously denied Seoul paid any ransom, but a senior Taliban leader told Reuters last week that Seoul had put up $20 million for their release.
Under the deal, South Korea said it would pull its civilian nationals from Afghanistan by the end of August and withdraw its 200 troops working as doctors and engineers by the end of the year. The troop pull-out had already been planned and nationals barred from going to Afghanistan.
"Kim is letting the suspicion recycle itself," the lawmaker said, requesting anonymity.
Kim has come under fire for overtly promoting his agency's role in solving the hostage standoff with actions the country's biggest newspaper said were "more suited to a cheesey spy movie."
In response, the spy chief has expressed dismay at having to deal with journalists. "I go into convulsions when the media approaches me," local newspapers quoted him as saying.
The country's main dailies criticised Kim for posing for pictures with each hostage, bringing unwanted attention to one of his agency's few Middle East specialists and ordering press releases praising his agency's role.
The government has also come under international criticism for negotiating with the Taliban.
President Roh Moo-hyun has expressed his confidence in Kim, saying the agency does not always have to work in the dark.
Last November, Kim became the first intelligence officer to rise through the agency ranks to take its top post.
