Seoul today reiterated that there is a limit to its powers in seeking a resolution to the hostage crisis involving 21 South Korean aid workers held by Taliban militants in Afghanistan.

A South Korean official says Seoul and Washington have agreed not to use force to free 21 South Korean hostages held in Afghanistan. The official was speaking today after a meeting between South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte in the Philippines. Both are in Manila for a regional security forum.

Asian foreign ministers on Tuesday endorsed North Korea's commitment to shut down its nuclear weapons program and praised moves toward setting up an East Asian trade bloc to help the region compete with groups like the European Union.

Another deadline has passed for 22 South Koreans being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Islamic militants had given the Afghan government until 12 p.m., local time, today to release jailed Taliban militants in exchange for the release of the South Korean Christian aid workers.

The South Korean and Afghan governments are stepping up efforts to win the release of 22 South Korean hostages held by Taliban militants in Afghanistan's central Ghazni Province.

North Korea who has recently shelved its nuclear program is all set to have negotiation with other countries for its economic progress. Immediate neighbor south Korea is the rapid growing economy, two countries know the fact that their market is potential for other.

Afghan police say they have recovered the body of a South Korean hostage killed by Taliban militants in southeastern Afghanistan.

South Korea is expected to complete a fuel oil shipment to the North on Sunday as part of a six-nation deal to encourage Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament, a Seoul-based news agency said.

Negotiators were working intensively in Afghanistan today as a deadline approached for 23 South Koreans, the largest group of hostages being held by militants in central Afghanistan.

South Korea and India will discuss proposed tariff cuts during another round of talks this week on a planned free trade deal.

Afghan and international forces have initiated an attempt to rescue 23 South Korean hostages their pro-Taleban captors have threatened to kill within hours.

South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon said today that his country's troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan at the end of the year.