How many of the 23 Korean hostages in Afghanistan be released by Sep?

Hey good news. All the 19 hostages were freed already !

Including the 12 getting released today, the total released hostages should be 14. Please correct me if I am wrong.

according to CNN: http://www.time.com/time/world/articl...

Korean and Japanese newspapers reported two weeks ago that the Taliban was asking for $10 million for the remaining hostages, and that South Korea was willing to pay up to $500,000. "Everyone believes it wasn't free," says Seoul resident Jeon Eunhyung. A presidential spokesman denies any suggestion of a ransom for the hostages' release, however, while Taliban commander Qari Mohammad Bashir also said that there was no secret deal and hence no money involved in the prisoners' release.

These Taliban guys are unbelievably efficient. The minute they agree to release the hostages, the next minute, they get them all out of the prisons.

Big news. Taliban just reached an agreement with Korea to release all 19 hostages:
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/htm...
However, no actual timetable has been confirmed yet. So, it is unlikely any new hostages will be released before the closing date 2008-08-31 of this prediction.

Supposedly, the Taliban is going to resume discussion with Korea today (Tues). Let's hope they will release a few hostages this time:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/0...

Hey guys.. .any update on this?

I believe there will be secret deals behind the scene. The news will dry-out from public.

The hostages have very little chance of getting released now. The negotiation is in a deadlock. I bet we won't hear from them in the news for a while.

What kind of demand does the Taliban actually have? According to this news, they are asking for "a genuine offer" from S.Korea. Since S.Korea has little influence over the US military operation in Middle East, would they be asking for money instead?
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/htm...

read: http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/...

Taliban militants in Afghanistan say they are deciding the fate of 19 South Korean hostages after talks for their release failed today. The militants, who seized 23 Koreans from a bus in Ghazni Province in July, have since released two female hostages and killed two male hostages. They have threatened to kill the remaining captives if their demand for insurgent prisoners to be freed from jail is not met.

Yes, I have to agree with you it is tough time for those hostages and their family. But think about this, if Taliban couldn't get what they want, there is no reason for them to kill more S. Korea because it will force S.Korea to join US policy in the future, and pay back to Taliban. In another point of view, US policy seems only way to deal with it. Hope Taliban can give up

The slowdown of negotiation between S.Korea and Taliban has a lot to do with the US policy of never negotiate with terrorist group. Although I do support it, this policy alone is a death sentence to the hostages. The S.Korea government is in a very difficult position now while getting pressured by both US and its own citizens.

It's almost end of August now, and only 2 were released. So, by September, I will say less than 8 will be released. If Taliban are reasonable, they might release the sick ones first.

Hey, good news, two Korean women have just been freed. Hope more will be coming.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/wor...

Well, no trade no release. So, the chance of any of them getting released is getting slimer.

US just rejected to release any Taliban to trade those Korean Hostages. Many people disagree with the US president, but it is really tough decision to make. If we make the deal with Taliban, more people will suffer in the future. Personally feel very worry about those Korean Hostages. Imagine how they feel now. Wait for execution and they did nothing wrong. I hope the rest of hostages will be fine and release very soon.

i believe Taliban won't kill all of them, otherwise it is telling US and Korean force can attack them. Perhaps some of the Koreans will be captured for a very very long time. They are unlikely released by Sep 07.

It has nothing to do with the South Korean's relation to the US. Afghanistan wants to raise attention around the globe to the war that's going on.

US and S.Korea have ruled out the possibility of military action against the Taliban. And to my surprise, Taliban is willing to set up a meeting with S.Korean government. Hopefully, they will come up with some agreement before the health of the hostages are getting worse.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exere...