Taliban say Korean hostage talks "successful"

KABUL, Aug 28 (Reuters) Negotiations on the fate of 19 South Korean hostages being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan were ''successful'', a spokesman for the Islamic movement said today.

However, spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf would not elaborate when asked to comment on an announcement by South Korea's presidential office that the Christian volunteers would be released.

The Taliban had in the past insisted the group would release the Korean hostages it kidnapped on July 19 only after Kabul had freed jailed Taliban members.

REUTERS LPB PM1745