|PIC1|Taliban militants have freed two female South Korean hostages on Monday, after much confusion over whether the two Christian aid workers had already been released.
According to Reuters news agency, officials in Seoul confirmed that the women had been freed and handed over the Red Crescent.
Witnesses said that the women were driven in a saloon car by two tribal elders to the village of Arzoo, near the city of Ghazni, where they were released.
Their release is the first good news for anxious family and friends of the hostages in South Korea since two male members of the 23-strong group were shot dead last month, after the government in Afghanistan refused to meet Taliban deadlines to free some of their militant prisoners.
The Christian aid workers were in Afghanistan as medical volunteers with the Saemmul Community Church in Bundang when they were abducted from a bus in Ghazni province more than three months ago.
The Afghan Government has so far refused to meet Taliban demands to free some of their prisoners in exchange for the Korean hostages.
Nineteen South Korean hostages remain in the hands of the Taliban, including 16 women.
-
Nightclub deal with St Paul's Cathedral a 'sad reflection' on Christianity
-
Earl Spencer is right to raise concerns about the Church of England’s historic buildings
-
Decline in marriage and relationships among factors driving global fertility slump - study
-
Christian nationalists 'are neither patriots nor Christians', says Church of England's parliamentary rep
-
CoE clergy feel 'undervalued, under-resourced, overworked, frustrated and vulnerable'
-
Church vows to plough on with Project Spire
Most Popular
News
Met accused of ‘ineffective’ policing at March for Life UK
Only one arrest was made on the day - a pro-lifer who was subsequently released without charge.
170 baptised at Bigbury-on-Sea
Mass baptisms in the sea are becoming more popular.
MPs vote against assisted suicide in 'victory for hope, compassion and life'
Almost the exact same Parliament voting for the almost exact same bill - but a very different result.
Historic UK churches face growing maintenance crisis despite £2.6m in grants
The National Churches Trust has warned that historic church buildings across the UK are facing mounting financial and maintenance pressures, despite awarding more than £2.6 million in grants during 2025.