Afghan army helicopters have dropped leaflets warning the Taliban of a planned assault to rescue a group of 21 South Korean hostages. The Taliban have said their captives are still alive though another deadline has come and gone. There is as yet no confirmation that a military operation has begun in Ghazni province, where the South Korean Christian volunteers were kidnapped nearly two weeks ago. The Taliban is demanding the release of prisoners. Of the 21 hostages still being held, five are men and sixteen are women. Two of the women are seriously ill. Seoul, meanwhile, remains firms on its position that there should not be a military solution. Presidential spokesman Cheon Ho sun said there was no reason to stop negotiating. With two of the initial group of 23 hostages killed, desperate relatives have been doing all they can including calling on the US government to intervene. Protests are also continuing. Around 100 people shouted slogans outside the US embassy in Seoul demanding the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. South Korean MPs have also called on Washington to act.

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