Taliban issues new threat to kill hostages

Seoul: There was no word on the fate of 22 remaining Korean hostages as a Taliban deadline lapsed on Monday.

Taliban rebels gave a fresh threat to kill more of the hostages unless the government releases rebel prisoners by noon on Monday.

The Afghan government has ruled out a prisoner swap and has urged the Taliban to release the hostages.

One hostage, the Korean group's leader, has already been killed. The bullet-ridden body of pastor Bae Hyung-kyu is expected to arrive in South Korea on Monday.

His brother, Bae Shin-kyu, told reporters the family would not have a funeral until the other hostages were returned to South Korea.

One of the hostages, a woman who identified herself as Yo Syun-Ju, pleaded for help as she spoke to the media by phone.

"We want from the Koreans, from the UN and human rights people to exchange us, and that they do this," she said. "We are all sick and we have a lot of problems," she added.