News – South Korean captives return home

South Korean captives return home19 South Koreans have returned home from Afghanistan after being freed by their Taliban kidnappers. The group was part of a Christian aid group held captive by the Taliban for 40 days before being released under a deal between their captors and the South Korean Government.The deal struck between South Korea and Taliban representatives includes the withdrawal of 210 Korean troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year and a ban on all missionary groups from South Korea entering the country.Two male captives were killed early in the kidnap apparently for refusing to convert to Islam. Two women captives were freed before the remaining 19 hostages were released. The freed hostages spoke briefly with reporters, and apologised to the South Korean people and the government for causing such concern.