(Newser)
–
The Taliban has killed one of the 23 South Koreans it's holding captive today, and vowed to murder the rest by 1 AM local time if the Afghan government does not release insurgents. CNN reports that 8 hostages have been freed, however, while the slain captive's bullet-riddled body was discovered by police in Central Afghanistan.
The 23 church volunteers, who were seized south of Kabul last week, were being held in three locations. A Taliban spokesman declared tonight is the "last deadline," but Afghan President Hamid Karzai has pledged not to release Taliban prisoners in exchange for the Korean hostages.
