South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun's special envoy is paying a visit to Pakistan to seek help for hostage issue, South Korean official said Thursday.

Baek Jong-chun, Roh's special envoy for the hostage issue in Afghanistan, will pay a brief stop in Islamabad on his way back home from Kabul to seek Pakistan's help in securing the release of 21 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan, said an official of the Presidential Office.

According to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, Baek is to arrive in Seoul late Friday afternoon after meeting with at least two minister-level officials in Pakistan.

However, the Presidential Office refuses to identify the ranking Pakistani officials involved.

Source: Xinhua