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)