Taliban Frees 4 More Captives

Taliban militants released four of their remaining seven South Korean hostages today. The two men and two women were released to Red Cross officials on a road in central Afghanistan, the AP reports. The Red Cross is on its way to pick up the three remaining hostages from the original 23. None of the freed hostages, held for six weeks, has talked to reporters yet.

The deal struck Tuesday that triggered the release drew criticism today from the Afghan commerce minister, who told a German radio station: "This release under these conditions will make our difficulties in Afghanistan even bigger. The Taliban will continue trying to take hostages to attain their aims in Afghanistan." (More Korean hostages stories.)