The final seven South Korean hostages were released on August 30,2007, ending a six-week long crisis that has put enormous political pressure on the South Korean government. The group of 23 church missionaries was kidnapped in Ghazni province after disregarding warnings about traveling in the dangerous region. Many in the international community have criticized the South Korean government for negotiating with the Taliban.
The kidnapping demonstrates the Taliban’s increasing boldness in taking foreign hostages. Previous victims of Taliban kidnappings have been small groups of Europeans, and only in very rare instances have governments negotiated for their release.
• The Taliban will continue to kidnap foreigners in Afghanistan in the near-term.
• In future kidnappings the Taliban is likely to become bolder by abducting larger groups of hostages and demanding more from governments who negotiate for the victims’ freedom.
Previous Foreign Kidnappings
In previous Taliban kidnappings small groups of one or two Europeans have been kidnapped and occasionally freed, although some have been killed. In March 2007 an Italian reporter was kidnapped but released two weeks later, after Afghan President Karzai released five Taliban prisoners. Karzai refused to continue prisoner exchanges and as a result the Taliban beheaded another Italian hostage later in the month.
The Taliban has also kidnapped French and German nationals in the past year. Two Germans were kidnapped the day before the South Koreans capture. One German has been killed and a video was released on August 23, 2007, showing the remaining German, who looked sick. The Taliban often asks for the release of captured prisoners or the removal of foreign troops in Afghanistan.
Negotiations with the South Koreans
The South Korean missionaries were captured as they traveled along a road in Ghazni on July 19, 2007. The 23 members were split into many small groups and constantly moved in the ensuing six-weeks. Two men, including the leader, were killed soon after their capture and after twenty-five days two women were released as a sign of “good will.”
The Taliban initially asked for money, the release of seven Taliban prisoners, and the removal of all South Korean troops. However, President Karzai refused to allow any more prisoner exchanges.
South Korea had several rounds of talks to negotiate the release of the hostages and the Taliban finally agreed to free the remaining hostages if South Korea removed its 200 troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year and stop activity from Christian groups in Afghanistan in the future. There was speculation in Afghanistan that a ransom was also part of the deal but the allegations have been denied by both the Taliban and South Korean officials.
The remaining nineteen hostages were released in groups of three or four over August 29 and 30. The last group of hostages released was handed over to the International Red Cross by a group of armed men after walking through the desert for some distance.
Taliban Vows to Kidnap Again
Many countries have criticized the South Korean government for negotiating with the Taliban, including the German government as a German national is still being held hostage. German Chancellor Merkel said her government would not change its stance towards the Taliban as negotiations only further legitimize the terrorist group. Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar remarked that the South Koreans actions send a dangerous message that the Afghan government can be blackmailed.
A day after the release Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi confirmed fears that kidnappings will continue as he stated, “We will do the same thing with the other allies in Afghanistan, because we found this way to be successful.”
This successful kidnapping and mass kidnapping demonstrates more coordination by the Taliban, as they were able to successfully overtake the bus carrying the South Koreans and quickly divide them into small groups to prevent detection by authorities. The successful negotiations by a foreign government have further emboldened the Taliban to kidnap again, most likely targeting larger groups.
We believe the Taliban will continue to kidnap foreigners in well-coordinated attacks in the near to mid-term.
