In Afghanistan, negotiations are continuing between tribal elders and Taliban kidnappers holding 22 South Korean church workers hostage. One of the hostages was killed Wednesday after a deadline passed. The Taliban wants to exchange the workers for the release of rebel prisoners. Meanwhile in South Korea, activists gathered in Seoul to call for the hostages’ safe return and the withdrawal of South Korean troops from Afghanistan.

Activist Park Jeo-eun: “The U.S. occupied Afghanistan and continued waging a war, then South Korean troops joined them in the name of an anti-terrorism war. That’s the main reason why the hostage situation happened. And the Taliban should immediately free the 22 South Korean hostages promptly and safely.”