South Korean political leaders announced on Wednesday their plan to travel to the United States this week to seek resolution for the release of 21 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan.

"We politely appeal to the U.S. government and the United Nations to shift their stance and help prevent these imminent killings," said leaders of five major South Korean political parties at a joint statement.

The party leaders issued the statement after a rare emergency meeting here.

"The humanitarian support is desperately needed from the international community in order to save the lives of these innocent civilians," the statement said.

Afghan militants demanded for release of Taliban prisoners in exchange for the release of South Korean hostages. However, the Afghanistan government has repeatedly announced not to conduct any prisoner-for-hostage deal with the kidnappers. The South Korean political party leaders' statement and their planned U.S. visit are widely regarded as an effort to urge the U.S. side for more flexibility on the hostage crisis.

According to the local media, the party leaders are expected to leave for Washington as early as Thursday and will meet with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the hostage issue.

They also plan to visit Afghanistan or other concerned Asian countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan after the trip to the U.S., said local reports.

A total of 23 South Koreans were held as hostages in Afghanistan on July 19. The kidnappers have executed two male hostages so far as a warning to the South Korean and Afghan government.

The families of the hostages on Wednesday visited the U.S. embassy in Seoul to appeal for U.S. help in resolving the hostage issue.

Source: Xinhua