South Korean Foreign Ministry today confirmed that three of 19 South Koreans held as hostages in Afghanistan since last month were released by Taliban militants.

The three people were soon to be handed over to South Korean authorities in Afghanistan, said Cho Hee-yong, spokesman for the ministry.

The released are Ahn Hye-jin, 31, Lee Jeung-ran, 33, and 34- year-old Han Ji-young, he added.

The South Korean government announced Tuesday night that the Taliban militants have agreed to free all the 19 South Korean hostages held by them after a face-to-face negotiation with South Korean officials.

The Taliban said earlier that the South Korean hostages will be released in several groups as not all the hostages were detained together.