|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.
-
The Supreme Court ruling on women was an important step forward but more needs to be done
-
Supreme court rules against anonymity for doctors who wish to withdraw life support from children
-
Concerns for Christian freedoms in New South Wales after introduction of conversion therapy ban
-
King Charles releases Easter message but faces criticism over reference to other faiths
News
-
King Charles releases Easter message but faces criticism over reference to other faiths
-
Why is atheist Keir Starmer's Easter message more Christian than the King's?
-
The power of Good Friday: reflecting on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice
-
American missionary pastor abducted at gunpoint during church meeting in South Africa
-
Surge in searches for local churches
-
Will Smith talks God, faith and fulfilment with Lecrae
Most Popular
News
Fear and silence grip Colombian hamlet after eight Christians vanish
A Colombian hamlet is gripped by fear following the forced disappearance of eight residents - seven of them Protestant church leaders and members - after responding to orders issued by a guerrilla group earlier this month.
A decade of bloodshed: NGO report reveals more than 20,000 Christians slain in south-east Nigeria
More than 20,000 Christians have reportedly been brutally killed over the past decade across south-east Nigeria, according to a disturbing report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), a Catholic-inspired human rights organisation.
Cardiff Council refuses to remove logo from church advertisements
In a surprising move, Cardiff Council has refused to give in to demands from humanists to remove its logo from adverts across the city encouraging people to go to church this Easter.
Plea to meet MPs ahead of assisted suicide vote
If just 23 MPs change their mind, the Bill will fall.