The Republic of Korea's (ROK) spy chief said yesterday he could
not comment on whether any ransom was paid to free 21 Christian aid
workers held by Taliban militants in Afghanistan, seemingly
contradicting earlier remarks that no ransom was paid.
Kim Man-bok, head of the National Intelligence Service, told a
parliamentary intelligence committee that the truth surrounding the
six-week hostage drama would be made public someday.
Kim's comments contrasted with a flat denial that he and the
Seoul government gave earlier amid persistent claims that ransom
money was paid to the insurgents.
"I can't confirm that. Various things happened and they will be
revealed as time passes," Kim Man-bok told a parliamentary
intelligence committee, according to Sun Byung-ryul, a committee
secretary.
Kim, who traveled to Afghanistan to direct negotiations with the
Taliban kidnappers, was responding to a question by a lawmaker over
whether there was any ransom payment or undisclosed dealings to
bring back the hostages from Afghanistan, Sun said in a telephone
interview.
Kim earlier said there was no money deal with the Taliban, who
he said had agreed to let the Christian aid workers go home after
the ROK reconfirmed plans to withdraw its 200 troops from
Afghanistan and deter Christian missionaries from traveling to the
country.
"I thought he would flatly deny the ransom payment," said Sun, a
member of the pro-government United New Democratic Party. "Kim only
said he can't reveal every detail taking place during negotiations
with the Taliban. Various speculations and questions might
surface," he said.
ROK opposition lawmakers have demanded Kim resign, criticizing
him for inappropriate behavior as the spy chief.
(China Daily via agencies September 7 2007)
