UPDATE: I just saw on CNN International that it has confirmed that the eight Korean hostages have not been released and are still threatening to kill the others.  Whoever it was in the Korean government that leaked word that eight hostages were released should be fired for getting the family member’s hopes up like that. 

Apparently the hostage for ransom handover was botched and that is what led to the killing of the hostage:

Reports suggest that South Korea attempted to pay a substantial ransom but that during the handover the Taleban became nervous and failed to appear. Haji Mohammad Sadiq, the subgovernor of the Qarabagh district, told The Times: “They tried to pay them a ransom. They arranged a meeting with the Taleban, but the Taleban got scared and did not show up.”

I tend to agree with Joshua’s thoughts that if President had any statemanship in him he would prepare ROK combat forces to deploy to Afghanistan to hunt down these killers if they continue to kill hostages.  Instead of whining about the US not pressuring Afghanistan to give into terrorists demands, how about getting the 1st ROK Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) along with the 707th Special Missions Battalion (ROK Delta) ready to deploy to go after these killers. 

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Tragic news the execution of the South Korean hostages has begun:

Afghan police discovered the bullet-riddled body of a male hostage on Wednesday, one of 23 South Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban last week.

Because of a recent spike in kidnappings — including an attempt against a Danish citizen Wednesday — police announced foreigners were no longer allowed to leave the Afghan capital without their permission.

The South Korean victim was found with 10 bullet holes in his head, chest and stomach in the Mushaki area of Qarabagh district in Ghazni province, the region where the group was seized July 19 while riding a bus, said Abdul Rahman, a police officer.

A police official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation, said militants told him the hostage was sick and couldn’t walk and was therefore shot. A South Korean public broadcaster, KBS, identified the victim as 42-year-old pastor Bae Hyung-kyu.

Here is the the link to the KBS report.  The Taliban are threatening to kill the rest of the hostages by the end of the day if they do not get the release of Taliban prisoners in exchange for the hostages. 

The KBS report as well as the Chosun Ilbo and Joong Ang Ilbo are also reporting that the Taliban has released 8 female hostages, but the Associated Press has said Afghan officials have denied this report.  Kyodo News Agency in Japan is reporting that the Korean government payed "a huge amount of money" to the Taliban for their release.  If the Korean government has already paid a huge amount of money for the release of the first eight expect more money to be paid soon enough.  The Joong Ang  Ilbo report says the released hostages have been taken to a US military base for a medical examination and will then be flown back to Korea.  The Taliban probably killed the pastor to show they were serious to up the ante to get Seoul to pay the money.  More details should come out over the course of the day. 

You can read more over at Lost Nomad &  Michelle Malkin as well. 

Prior postings on this here, here, & here.