Taleban rebels threatening to kill a group of 23 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan say they have extended the deadline for their demands to be met.
Taleban rebels threatening to kill a group of 23 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan say they have extended the deadline for their demands to be met.
The rebels have given officials until 1900 local time (1430 GMT) to trade Taleban prisoners for the hostages.
The rebels have given officials until 1900 local time (1430 GMT) to trade Taleban prisoners for the hostages.
Intense negotiations have been taking place between the two sides since the group was abducted on Thursday.
Intense negotiations have been taking place between the two sides since the group was abducted on Thursday.
Meanwhile, South Korea has added Afghanistan to a list of countries its citizens are banned from travelling to.
Meanwhile, South Korea has added Afghanistan to a list of countries its citizens are banned from travelling to.
Any South Korean making an unauthorised journey to a banned country can be jailed for up to one year or fined 3m won ($3,200).
Any South Korean making an unauthorised journey to a banned country can be jailed for up to one year or fined 3m won ($3,200).
The foreign ministry has urged South Koreans in Afghanistan - believed to number about 200 - to consider leaving.
The foreign ministry has urged South Koreans in Afghanistan - believed to number about 200 - to consider leaving.
South Korea also has about 200 peacekeeping troops in the country, which Seoul had already been planning to withdraw by the end of the year.
South Korea also has about 200 peacekeeping troops in the country, which Seoul had already been planning to withdraw by the end of the year.
Delicate diplomacy
Delicate diplomacy
The South Koreans were seized from a bus travelling from the city of Kandahar to the capital, Kabul.
The South Koreans were seized from a bus travelling from the city of Kandahar to the capital, Kabul.
They are reportedly Christians on an evangelical and aid mission. At least 15 are said to be women.
They are reportedly Christians on an evangelical and aid mission. At least 15 are said to be women.
The seizure is the largest-scale abduction of foreigners since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001.
The seizure is the largest-scale abduction of foreigners since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul says delicate diplomacy, not military muscle, is at the forefront of efforts to get the South Koreans out safely.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul says delicate diplomacy, not military muscle, is at the forefront of efforts to get the South Koreans out safely.
An eight-strong South Korean delegation, including a presidential envoy, is in Kabul to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai and negotiate for the hostages' release.
An eight-strong South Korean delegation, including a presidential envoy, is in Kabul to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai and negotiate for the hostages' release.
Afghan elders have also been mediating between the militants and government negotiators in central Ghazni province, where the group was taken.
Afghan elders have also been mediating between the militants and government negotiators in central Ghazni province, where the group was taken.
The hostages are reported to be in good health, but the rebels have said they will kill them if there is any attempt to free them by force or if the government fails to release a number of Taleban prisoners soon.
The hostages are reported to be in good health, but the rebels have said they will kill them if there is any attempt to free them by force or if the government fails to release a number of Taleban prisoners soon.
The group has also called for South Korean troops to leave the country.
The group has also called for South Korean troops to leave the country.
German hostages
German hostages
On Sunday, police in Wardak province said they had found the body of one of two German hostages kidnapped last Wednesday.
On Sunday, police in Wardak province said they had found the body of one of two German hostages kidnapped last Wednesday.
The Germans, whose identity has not been revealed, were seized with a number of Afghans in Wardak, where they had been working on a dam project.
The Germans, whose identity has not been revealed, were seized with a number of Afghans in Wardak, where they had been working on a dam project.
A Taleban spokesman said both men were killed on Saturday because Germany refused demands to withdraw its 3,000-strong force from the country.
A Taleban spokesman said both men were killed on Saturday because Germany refused demands to withdraw its 3,000-strong force from the country.
But Berlin said it believed one hostage was still alive and the other died of a heart attack or stress.
But Berlin said it believed one hostage was still alive and the other died of a heart attack or stress.
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday evening said Germany would not give in to Taleban "blackmail" to withdraw its troops.
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday evening said Germany would not give in to Taleban "blackmail" to withdraw its troops.
The fate of the Afghans captured with the Germans is unknown.
The fate of the Afghans captured with the Germans is unknown.
Are you in South Korea? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your comments using the form below:
