Over in Afghanistan where the Taliban have released the remaining seven South Korean hostages.



That happened Thursday in Ghazni province, ending the six-week crisis. Last month, two of the hostages were executed by the militant group.



Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea's Foreign Ministry says the seven released hostages are safe and healthy. Officials are now arranging the return of all 19 surviving hostages as early as Sunday.



The seven South Korean hostages were freed and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, by a local tribal elder Thursday.



The Taliban released 4 captives earlier in the day and 3 others were freed later.



The hostages were transferred to South Korean officials in Afghanistan early Friday morning.



On Wednesday, the Taliban freed 12 hostages in three groups to the Red Cross, at three separate locations.



Following the release of all the hostages, the Taliban issued a statement, saying the abduction may hurt the feelings of South Koreans.



But the Taliban argued the South Korean government has sent 200 troops to help the US, who they said, invaded Afghanistan and killed many innocent people.



The Taliban and the South Korean government struck a deal on Tuesday saying all 19 hostages would be released in the coming days without releasing Taliban prisoners.



Under the deal, Seoul promised to withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year, and prevent South Korean Christian missionaries from working in the country.



Some Afghan officials also say that during negotiations, Seoul agreed to pay a ransom of 20 million US dollars.
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