President Roh Moo-hyun on Saturday called for the release of Koreans who were abducted by Taliban militants on Thursday in Afghanistan as the insurgents threathened to kill them unless Korea withdraws its troops stationed in the country.
"Under any circumstances, precious lives must not be lost,'' Roh said in a televised statement. ``The Korean government is prepared to make its utmost effort with the relevant parties in order to secure the speedy release of the Korean citizens.''
Roh said that taking innocent civilians hostage cannot be justified for any reason.
The Korean abductees, mostly medical doctors and nurses, went to Afghanistan to offer medical services, Roh stressed.
Roh also had a phone call with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, asking him to help the release of the Korean abductees in his country.