The 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum Thursday released a statement, calling for unconditional release of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan.
"The Foreign Ministers of the participating countries of the ASEAN Regional Forum express our solidarity with the people and government of the Republic of Korea and condemn the hostage taking of their nationals in Afghanistan and deplore in the strongest terms the brutal murder of two hostages," said the statement.
"We call for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all hostages."
It's the third statement of its kind during the serial meetings of the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conference and the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum.
"We share the grief and sorrow of the family and friends of the murdered victims and the concern and heartache of the loved ones of the remaining hostages.
"We express the hope that the hostages and their families will find the strength to face this ordeal, while at the same time expressing the hope that they will soon be reunited," said the statement.
The Taliban, a militant Islamic group in Afghanistan, kidnapped 23 South Korean Church volunteers in Ghazni province, southwest of Kabul, on July 19. Two male hostages had been executed by the Taliban.
Source: Xinhua
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