Taliban: “We Will Talk Directly to the South Korean Government”

Five days after Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan kidnapped 23 South Koreans, the insurgents have reportedly demanded direct negotiations with the Korean government.

If that report is true, negotiations with the Afghanistan government, which seemed to be going in a positive direction, could turn negative quickly.

A deadline for a third negotiation session suggested by the Taliban was set for 7:30 p.m. on July 23 (11:30 p.m. Korean time).

According to the Afghan Islamic Press, a spokesman for Taliban commander Abdullah Jan said, “We see the Afghanistan government failing to negotiate with the Korean government properly; therefore, we will confront the government directly.”

He added, “The hostages are separated by groups and a suicide bomber is designated for each group. Those suicide bombers are wearing a vest with bombs.”

A person claiming to be a spokesman for Taliban fighters insisted in a phone that, “The South Korean government should put pressure on the Afghanistan government to accept our demands.”

The AFP reported that the spokesman threatened Korea, saying that, “The negotiations have not been going well. If the negotiations continue like this, we can execute the hostages.”

The Washington Post reported that the Taliban demanded release of Taliban detainees, including a high-ranking commander in the city of Ghazni who was arrested two weeks ago, in exchange for the Korean hostages.

Regarding this report, however, a Korean official announced in an unofficial briefing that, “We have not heard anything about direct negotiations from the rebels.”

The official said, “Our government has kept in touch with the insurgents through various channels with the Afghanistan government and other alliances, and we have not confirmed any other demands from the Taliban at this moment.”

He added, “From Cho Jung-pyo, deputy secretary of foreign affairs and trade, and his Afghan investigation, we see a step by step progress in the situation, and there has also been progress when it comes to understanding the exact character of the insurgent group and reviewing the group’s demands.”

Meanwhile, Abdullah Jan’s spokesman said, “The hostages are under a control of suicide bombers and search and rescue team and they are still in good health,” and the Korean government confirmed this.

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