Fate of Korean hostages unclear

Ghazni: Afghanistan: The fate of the remaining 22 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan was not known after the expiry of a Friday noon (0730 GMT) deadline by the Taliban.

Officials in Ghazni, where the Christian hostages are believed to be held, refused to speak to the media.

Earlier, a South Korean woman held hostage along with 21 others in Afghanistan has pleaded for help, saying that the hostages are sick.

"We are held here in very difficult conditions every day," Yoo Hyun Joo said in a weeping voice in a recording of an interview posted on CBS news website.

"Please help us so that we can come out as soon as possible," said the 32-year-old nurse.

Taliban kidnappers have said they will kill all the hostages unless the government releases eight rebel prisoners by noon.

A group of 23 South Koreans was abducted a week ago. The kidnappers have since killed one of the hostages.

"If [the prisoners] are not released we won't have any other option than to start killing the hostages," said Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf.

South Korean chief presidential national security advisor, Baek Jong-chun, is expected to arrive in Afghanistan later on Friday to step up efforts to free the hostages.