S. Korean government denies ransom payment to Taliban captors

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http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/233030.html

The office of President Roh Moo-hyun Friday indirectly denied news reports alleging that the South Korean government has paid a hefty ransom to the Taliban in return for the recent release of South Korean hostages.

"There is no secret agreement with the Taliban other than the already announced conditions for the hostage release," Roh's spokesman, Cheon Ho-seon, said in his daily media briefing.

Cheon made the brief remark when asked if Seoul had paid any cash to the Taliban.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry has steadily denied paying any money to Taliban captors. snip

News media have speculated that the South Korean government ransomed the hostages by paying the Taliban as much as 20 million British pounds.