Korean envoy's hostage mercy dash

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A Seoul envoy is due in Afghanistan to step up efforts to save 22 South Korean hostages held by Taleban captors.

Baek Jong-chun is expected to meet Afghan government officials to discuss negotiations to free the aid workers, who were abducted a week ago.

The militants have already shot one of their captives and threatened to kill others unless the Afghan government released jailed insurgents.

The body of pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, 42, was found in Ghazni on Wednesday.

Mr Baek, South Korea's chief national security adviser, was set to arrive shortly after a new deadline set by the captors expired.

Threats

The fate of the remaining hostages was not known after a Taleban spokesman threatened to kill them unless the Afghan government freed prisoners by noon on Friday (0730 GMT).

Several previous deadlines have passed without the militants carrying out their threats.

SAEMMUL COMMUNITY CHURCH Based in Bundang, on southern outskirts of SeoulOne of a number of big Presbyterian churches in South Korea, with about 1,500 membersFunds social programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle EastSends volunteers from the church to work on projects for short stints <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6917403.stm">S Korean media outrage</a>

One of the hostages was allowed by the captors on Thursday to make an emotional plea by telephone for help to secure their release.

The captives are aid workers for a Christian group.

The group of 23 Koreans, mostly women, were abducted in Ghazni province, south-west of the capital Kabul a week ago.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has pledged not to swap prisoners for hostages.

He was criticised for releasing five Taleban members from jail in March in exchange for an Italian reporter.

There has been an increase in kidnappings, roadside bombings and suicide attacks in recent months in Afghanistan.