The Taliban say they have released two of the Korean hostages held captive for three weeks.

Its a sign that talks between the Taliban and a contingent of South Korean diplomats to secure the freedom of the hostages are making progress. The original 23 Koreans, from a Christian volunteer group, were kidnapped from a bus in the Ghanzi in late July. Taliban gunmen have already killed two male hostages and threatened to kill more if Taliban prisoners were not released in exchange. The South Korean government is under intense domestic pressure to secure the release of its nationals, but has no power over the grant the kidnappers demand for a swap. Discussions are being held in a Red Crescent building in Ghanzi where the Afghan government has guaranteed the safety of the Taliban negotiators.

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