Taliban Cheong Wa Dae Denounces Hostage Killing

The office of President Roh Moo-hyun issued a statement on Thursday, denouncing kidnappers in Afghanistan for killing one of 23 South Korean hostages and calling for an immediate release of the remaining Koreans.

"The Korean government is deeply saddened by the news that one of the Korean hostages in Afghanistan was killed by the Taliban kidnappers. The government strongly protests their act of brutality in killing an innocent civilian," said the statement.

"The government clearly states that the organization responsible for the abduction will be held accountable for taking the life of a Korean citizen. The killing of an innocent citizen

cannot be justified under any circumstance or for any reason, and any such inhumane act can't be tolerated."

It went on to say that the Korean government will exert all possible efforts and cooperate with the governments of Afghanistan and other related countries so that the Korean citizens held hostage will be able to return to their families safely and at the earliest possible time.

The statement was read by Baek Jong-chun, chief presidential secretary for unification, foreign and security policy, in a live TV broadcast.

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Baek will leave for Afghanistan Thursday in his capacity as a special presidential envoy to help resolve the hostage crisis.

"Baek will hold comprehensive talks with the Afghan government in Kabul to secure an early release of the Korean hostages," presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said.