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WORLD / Asia-Pacific
S. Korea's top diplomat denies ransom paid
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-02 10:34
South Korea's Foreign Minister Song Min-soon on Saturday denied reports
that the country paid a ransom in order to secure the freedom of its
citizens taken hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Nineteen Christian aid workers who were held for more than 40 days were
released on Wednesday and Thursday. Two male captives were executed in
July, while two female hostages were released earlier last month.
The release sparked suspicions that the South Korean government paid a
large ransom to prevent the killing of any other members of the group.
Reuters reported earlier Saturday that a Taliban leader said South Korea
paid the group more than $20 million to release all the hostages.
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"Such a thing has not been done," Song told reporters Saturday on
arriving at Seoul's airport after finishing an eight-day trip to Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.
Regarding the government's possible plan to claim indemnity for expenses
to free the hostages and bring them home, Song said the necessary actions
will be taken after a thorough review of the incident.
"First of all, we will have to look into all the circumstances
surrounding the event -- from how it began in the first place to how it
was resolved," he said. "Then, we will take necessary measures."
Analysts said even if there was a ransom, the government would be
unlikely to ask the church that sent the aid workers to the war- ravaged
country or the families of the hostages for repayment.
The church has said it will pay the transportation and medical expenses
for the freed captives.
The 19 former hostages?arrived in Seoul on Sunday.
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