The Taliban has threatened to retaliate against South Korea for its decision to send troops back into Afghanistan, according to a statement e-mailed to media outlets. South Korea has pledged to send 350 troops next year to protect its civilian aid workers, a move the Taliban charged violates a pledge in 2007 to withdraw permanently in exchange for the release of 19 hostages. South Korea has had no troops in Afghanistan since 2007 when it withdrew about 200. The pullout was previously planned, but followed the hostage standoff. The Taliban killed two South Koreans after demanding Seoul immediately withdraw troops. South Korea has had no forces in Afghanistan since then. South Korea's leaders “should be prepared for the consequence of their action, which they will certainly face,” according to the statement sent late Wednesday from an e-mail address regularly used by the extremist group.
