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WASHINGTON: A South Korean parliamentary assembly delegation is in Washington to ask for more help to release 21 hostages being held in Afghanistan.
The US State Department said it is working closely with the South Koreans and Afghans.
It has not ruled out using force to free them, but Korea has signalled it would prefer a negotiated settlement with the Taliban.
Members of the South Korean parliament have met senior US state department official, Nicholas Burns and regional experts to ask for help in releasing the hostages.
Chae Su Chan, member of the Korean National Assembly, said: "I wish the US would create an environment in which this matter can be resolved more effectively. The US has considerable influence with the Afghans. We wish the US government and Congress could move this up its priorities."
Twenty-three South Korean Christians were taken hostage whilst travelling from Kabul to Kandahar.
Two have been killed by the Taliban.
The kidnappers are demanding the release of Taliban prisoners and have agreed to meet with South Korean negotiators in a neutral place, which has yet to be arranged.
The State Department said they are working very closely with the South Koreans and the Afghan Government, but have yet to comment on whether they will negotiate on behalf of the Koreans.
Mr Chae said: "I understand the US has longstanding principles about not negotiating for hostages. If it's not going to conduct direct talks, there should be other ways they can create an environment in which certain deals can be made."
The Korean delegation is also meeting with political figures in Washington and they are expressing the intense public desire in Korea to see the US use all its powers to free the remaining hostages.
- CNA/so
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