Update: Sailors Look Forward To Seeing Families After Capture By Somali Pirates

Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - The wives of two of four South Korean sailors held by kidnappers in Somalia hailed the release of their loved ones on Sunday after 174 days in captivity, the Korea Times said.

Kim Jeong-shim, wife of captain Han Seok-ho, said she was relieved to know that her husband is coming home at last. Cho Tae-soon, wife of chief engineer Yang Chil-tae, said she hopes to see her husband right away.

The wives, together with families of the sailors, also thanked the local media and other people who supported and sympathized with them during a press conference in Busan on Monday. At the same conference, the sailors' families criticized their government's alleged priority to help free kidnapped aid workers in Afghanistan over those kidnapped in Somalia.

Han and Yang were among 22 Asian crew members of two South Korean fishing vessels hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia on May 15. The Hankyoreh said the ships named Mavuno 1 and Mavuno 2 are owned by the Daechang Fishing Co. and were manned by two other South Korean crews when hijacked.

South Korea's foreign ministry in Seoul reported the release of the hostages and their transfer to Yemen at 10 p.m. (1 p.m. GMT) on Sunday.