New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters welcomed Friday the release of the seven remaining South Korean hostages who have been held in Afghanistan for six weeks.
According to a government press release, Peters said New Zealand utterly condemns the taking of hostages, and the release will "have been a great relief" to the family and friends of the hostages, and indeed to all the people of South Korea.
"Our thoughts also go out to the families and friends of the two men who died," said Peters.
A group of 23 Korea missionaries was taken hostage by the Taliban on July 19, while traveling from Kabul to Kandahar. Two of the missionaries, both men, were killed several weeks ago. Twelve were freed on Wednesday, and two were released earlier.
"The Afghan authorities and everyone who assisted in trying to negotiate the hostages' release should be commended for their efforts. It is a very difficult situation for governments whose citizens are taken hostage and threatened with execution unless terrorist demands are met," said Peters.
New Zealand has a Provincial Reconstruction Team and other defense and police personnel based in Afghanistan.
Source: Xinhua
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