The relatives of the South Korean hostages gulped and burst into tears when they found out on Monday night that a second hostage had been murdered. Since the kidnapping almost two weeks ago, the relatives have been gathering in a parish near the capital Seoul, hoping and praying that the hostages will be returned safely.

A statement by South Korea's foreign ministry said killing the 29-year-old Shim Sung-min with a shot in the head was a "barbaric act", and the office of President Roh Moo-hyun warned the kidnappers against committing any more violence.

Public pressure on the government is extremely high in the country, where the matter has been in the headlines for days. One telephone interview with a hostage massively increased public sympathy.

"Disgusting"

Using a mobile phone, the hostage was able to report that they were being held in small groups in different locations: " We get tea and bread which is disgusting. We hope we'll be rescued as soon as possible," she said.

South Korea is said to have offered a very high amount of money for the release of the hostages. Moreover, President Roh has already spoken twice over the telephone with the Afghan president Hamid Karzai and asked him to do everything for the South Koreans.

But Seoul has also expressed some dismay about the little support it has received from its ally -- the United States.

According to media reports, Foreign Minister Song Min-soon phoned Condoleeza Rice to ask her to give up her resistance against an exchange of hostages.

No trade

Until now, President Karzai and the US government have categorically refused to release the eight Taliban prisoners in return for the South Koreans.

The US recently strongly criticised President Karzai when he exchanged a kidnapped Italian journalist against a group of Taliban prisoners -- the US philosophy is that terrorists should not be negotiated with.

However, the Seoul government has consciously avoided the use of the word "terrorists". The Korean government also wants to avoid any attempt on the part of the Afghan or American forces to rescue the hostages by force.