This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6909684.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
S Korea urges release of hostages S Korea urges release of hostages
(about 4 hours later)
South Korea's president has urged the release of 18 citizens held captive in Afghanistan, saying he will make "sincere efforts" to win their freedom. South Korea's president has urged the release of citizens held captive in Afghanistan, saying he will make "sincere efforts" to win their freedom.
Roh Moo-hyun made his appeal after Taleban insurgents threatened to kill the captives unless South Korea's 200 troops left the country. Roh Moo-hyun made his appeal after the Taleban threatened to kill up to 23 captives they hold unless South Korea's 200 troops left the country.
South Korea already plans to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.South Korea already plans to withdraw its troops by the end of the year.
Foreign Minister Song Min-soon had earlier said that Seoul would stick to its schedule. The Taleban later said they would begin to kill hostages if an equal number of militants were not freed by Sunday.
"We have only several months to go... You cannot withdraw 200 people overnight," he said. The Taleban also said on Saturday they had killed two Germans taken hostage in a separate abduction.
The Taleban said on Saturday they had killed two Germans taken hostage in a separate abduction. The Afghan government cast doubt on the claim, saying one had died of a heart attack and the other was still alive.
Mostly womenMostly women
The Koreans were taken at gunpoint while travelling in a bus from Kandahar city to the capital, Kabul, on Thursday.The Koreans were taken at gunpoint while travelling in a bus from Kandahar city to the capital, Kabul, on Thursday.
The Taleban initially said there were 18 but have revised up the figure to 23. Seoul has not confirmed the number taken.
They were reportedly Christians on an evangelical and aid mission. At least 15 are said to be women.They were reportedly Christians on an evangelical and aid mission. At least 15 are said to be women.
The seizure was the largest-scale abduction of foreigners since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001, according to the Associated Press.The seizure was the largest-scale abduction of foreigners since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001, according to the Associated Press.
Roh Moo-hyun made an appeal in a brief televised appearanceRoh Moo-hyun made an appeal in a brief televised appearance
In a brief televised appeal on Saturday Mr Roh said the captors "should send our people home quickly and safely".In a brief televised appeal on Saturday Mr Roh said the captors "should send our people home quickly and safely".
He did not specify what measures Seoul would take to try to secure a release.He did not specify what measures Seoul would take to try to secure a release.
South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Cho Hee-yong told AP the government was in contact with the kidnappers.South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Cho Hee-yong told AP the government was in contact with the kidnappers.
Some relatives of those kidnapped have urged the government to accept the Taleban's demands. Some relatives of those kidnapped have urged the government to accept the Taleban's demand on withdrawal of troops.
One, Cha Sung-min, said: "We hope that the immediate withdrawal [of troops] is made." One, Cha Sung-min, said: "We hope that the immediate withdrawal is made."
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, who claims to speak for the Taleban, told AP on Friday that Seoul had "until tomorrow at noon to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan, or otherwise we will kill the 18 Koreans". Foreign Minister Song Min-soon had earlier said that Seoul would stick to its schedule.
Foreign Minister Song says his government is working closely with its Afghan counterpart and a crisis team from Seoul will arrive in Kabul on Saturday. "We have only several months to go... You cannot withdraw 200 people overnight," he said.
The same Taleban spokesman said on Saturday the group had killed two Germans taken hostage near Kabul on Wednesday. Mr Song says his government is working closely with its Afghan counterpart and a crisis team from Seoul was scheduled to arrive in Kabul on Saturday.