The Foreign Ministry says Libya has released with no preconditions two South Koreans who were arrested earlier this year for violating Libyan religious law.

The missionary and a farm owner were freed 3 a.m. Sunday Korean Standard Time and came just two days after ruling Grand National Party Rep. Lee Sang-deuk held talks with Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi in Libya Thursday.

The ministry says the two former captives were handed over to their families in the presence of the South Korean ambassador to Libya.

An official says whether the men will return to South Korea or continue to stay in Libya remains unknown.

One of the men was arrested in June and the other in July for violating Libyan religious law. They were investigated and transferred to a regular detention facility in August and then allowed to contact the South Korean consul and family at home.