SEOUL, July 25 (Xinhua)-- Eight South Korean hostages were released by Afghan militants on Wednesday and are being escorted to safe places, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported. 

    The release of the eight South Koreans was a result of the negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban militants, the report said.

    The released hostages will receive health check and return to South Korea as soon as possible, Yonhap quoted undisclosed government source as saying.

    The source told Yonhap that the release was also a result of close cooperation between the South Korean government, the Afghan government and the U.S. government.

    A total of 23 South Koreans were held as hostages in Afghanistan on July 19.

Spokesman: Taliban kills one S. Korean hostage

    KABUL, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Taliban fighters have killed one South Korean hostage on Wednesday, a purported Taliban spokesman told Xinhua from an undisclosed place. Full story

An Afghan guard opens the South Korean embassy's gate in Kabul on July 25, 2007. Taliban rebels said on Tuesday negotiations to free the 23 Korean hostages they are holding in Afghanistan were at a crucial stage. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>