Kabul, Aug 2 (Xinhua) The Taliban Thursday agreed to hold direct talks with the South Korean government on 21 hostages held by the militia in Afghanistan.
A Taliban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmadi, told Xinhua from an undisclosed place that the outfit was disappointed with the Afghanistan government, as it did not show sincerity in the negotiations.
He also said 16 hostages were not in good condition and the condition of two women among hostages was very serious.
Earlier Thursday, media reports quoted Afghan officials as saying that South Korean diplomats in Afghanistan were seeking direct talks with the Taliban.
Taliban rebels killed two male South Korean hostages July 25 and July 30 to press Afghan and South Korean authorities to meet their demands.
Up to now, the Afghan government has not agreed to release Taliban prisoners, as has been demanded in exchange of the hostages.
Taliban militants kidnapped a total of 23 South Koreans on a road in the central Ghazni province July 19.