아래 인터넷 뉴스 주소를 클릭하면 관련 기사를 볼 수 있다. http://abcnews.go.com/international/story?id=3549862&page=1
Afghans: Seoul Paid Hostage Ransom After Reported Taliban Rapes
Former Hostages Left Afghanistan on a Chartered United Nations Flight to Dubai
In this photo released from Saemmul Church via Yonhap Saturday, July 21, 2007, a group of South Korean Christians pose for a memorial photo before leaving for Afghanistan Friday, July 13, 2007 at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Saemmul Church via Yonhap) By ALEEM AGHA and GRETCHEN PETERS
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 1, 2007
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Share South Korea paid the Taliban $950,000 -- or $50,000 a head -- to secure the release of 19 church workers abducted in southeastern Afghanistan, Afghan officials who took part in the negotiations told ABC News.
The negotiations took on urgency, the Afghan officials said, after two female hostages who were released last month reported being repeatedly raped by their Taliban captors.
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The kidnappers also killed two of the male hostages, who were abducted six weeks ago riding by bus through southeastern Ghazni province.
"We have reports the various Taliban commanders were fighting over the women hostages," said Mirajuddin Pathan, the governor of Ghazni province. "They were abused over and over."
South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon today defended the decision to negotiate with the Taliban, according to The Associated Press. The move raised concern it would lead to more abductions and put thousands of foreign troops and aid workers at risk.
Seoul has insisted no ransom was paid.
But an Afghan official who took part in the negotiations, and who asked not to be named, said a cash pay-off was always central to their release.
"The Taliban initially asked for a million dollars a head, and for some prisoners to be released," he said. "When they realized time was not on their side, they dropped their price and their demand for prisoners."
The former hostages left Afghanistan on a chartered United Nations flight today to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. They were due to arrive in Korea early on Sunday.
The missionaries told of being separated into small groups, moved frequently and at night to avoid detection over the six weeks they were in captivity.
"Over the 42 days, we were relocated 12 times," AP Television quoted 55-year-old Yoo Kyung-sik as saying. "They moved us mainly during the night by motorcycle, turning off their headlights while to avoid being seen."
The freed hostages apologized for the grief they caused their families and their nation.
Afghans: Seoul Paid Hostage Ransom After Reported Taliban Rapes
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Afghans: Seoul Paid Hostage Ransom After Reported Taliban Rapes
Former Hostages Left Afghanistan on a Chartered United Nations Flight to Dubai
In this photo released from Saemmul Church via Yonhap Saturday, July 21, 2007, a group of South Korean Christians pose for a memorial photo before leaving for Afghanistan Friday, July 13, 2007 at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Saemmul Church via Yonhap) By ALEEM AGHA and GRETCHEN PETERS
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 1, 2007
Font Size
Share South Korea paid the Taliban $950,000 -- or $50,000 a head -- to secure the release of 19 church workers abducted in southeastern Afghanistan, Afghan officials who took part in the negotiations told ABC News.
The negotiations took on urgency, the Afghan officials said, after two female hostages who were released last month reported being repeatedly raped by their Taliban captors.
Related Stories
South Korea insists it paid no ransom to TalibanAll Free! Last Korean Hostages ReleasedTaliban frees remaining Korean hostagesAfghan Taliban free more Korean hostagesTop International stories
More Than 1,800 Iraqis Killed in AugustChina's Influence Spreads Around WorldFelix Becomes Hurricane in Caribbean
The kidnappers also killed two of the male hostages, who were abducted six weeks ago riding by bus through southeastern Ghazni province.
"We have reports the various Taliban commanders were fighting over the women hostages," said Mirajuddin Pathan, the governor of Ghazni province. "They were abused over and over."
South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon today defended the decision to negotiate with the Taliban, according to The Associated Press. The move raised concern it would lead to more abductions and put thousands of foreign troops and aid workers at risk.
Seoul has insisted no ransom was paid.
But an Afghan official who took part in the negotiations, and who asked not to be named, said a cash pay-off was always central to their release.
"The Taliban initially asked for a million dollars a head, and for some prisoners to be released," he said. "When they realized time was not on their side, they dropped their price and their demand for prisoners."
The former hostages left Afghanistan on a chartered United Nations flight today to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. They were due to arrive in Korea early on Sunday.
The missionaries told of being separated into small groups, moved frequently and at night to avoid detection over the six weeks they were in captivity.
"Over the 42 days, we were relocated 12 times," AP Television quoted 55-year-old Yoo Kyung-sik as saying. "They moved us mainly during the night by motorcycle, turning off their headlights while to avoid being seen."
The freed hostages apologized for the grief they caused their families and their nation.
Afghans: Seoul Paid Hostage Ransom After Reported Taliban Rapes
12Next
Read All 16 Comments and Post Your Own
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING 16 Comments
Discuss this topic with the ABC News CommunityRead All
View All Message Boards
Connect with Newsmakers
Capture video of a news event? Upload it now.
Audience FavoritesView All
Doctors Warn on Vaginal Cosmetic SurgeryTexan Claims to Have Chupacabra HeadVIDEO: Meet the Cheapest FamilyVIDEO: Audio of Sen. Craig's ArrestPHOTOS: Shiloh Perfects Angelina's PoutPHOTOS: Excess Hollywood: Toxic Bosses
