Relatives of released South Korean hostages apologise for their behaviour

The relatives of two South Korean hostages, who were freed by the Taliban on Monday, have apologised for the worries caused by them to the South Korean Government and to their countrymen.

Seoul, Aug 14 : The relatives of two South Korean hostages, who were freed by the Taliban on Monday, have apologised for the worries caused by them to the South Korean Government and to their countrymen.

"We are so sorry to the government and to the (South Korean) people for causing so many worries," Kim Kyung-ja's brother, Kyung-shik, said.

Kim Kyung-ja, a graduate student in social work, had been suffering respiratory problems, her brother said. Kim Ji-na, a college animation instructor, had lower back pain.

"Two people have come back as dead bodies, and two are released because they are sick," Kim Ji-na's mother, Sun Yun-ja, said.

"Our hearts are heavy because there are still those who remain," Kim Ji-na's brother, Ji-ung, told reporters.

"We will be here until we all can go home with joy," he said.

Hailing the release of the hostages, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said: "The South Korean Government is pleased, along with the entire Korean people, at the release of two of the Korean captives held in Afghanistan. But the government still regrets the protracted captivity of the remaining19 hostages."

According to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Cho Hee-yong, the released hostages are identified as Kim Gina, 32, and Kim Kyung-ja,37.

"We feel fortunate that at least some of the hostages have been released, but we again urge the kidnappers to immediately release all our citizens they hold hostage," Cho said.

According to Cho, the two female hostages can walk by themselves when being transferred to the South Korean side. "They seemed to be not in critical conditions," he said.

A total of 23 South Koreans were kidnapped by Taliban militants in Afghanistan on July 19. The militants have killed two male hostages so far. There are still 19 South Koreans currently held as hostages by the militants.

ANI