KABUL, July 22 (Reuters) - Afghan and international forces have launched an operation to rescue 23 South Koreans taken hostage by Taliban insurgents south of the capital Kabul, the Afghan Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

"Afghan forces and international troops have launched a joint operation for the freedom of the Korean hostages," the Afghan Ministry of Defence said in a statement. "The result of the operation will be announced at a later date."

An Afghan police commander said officials have recovered the body of a German kidnapped in southern Afghanistan.