Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon says the government is mobilizing all possible channels in Iraq to determine the fate of a South Korean hostage and to find ways to contact the local insurgent group that is believed to be holding the man captive.

Before returning home after attending an annual meeting of Asian Foreign Ministers in China, Ban said the government is collecting tips and information from a number of sources.

Ban also said he is considering personally appealing to the Iraqi insurgent group for the immediate and safe return of Kim Sun-il by appearing on the Arabic satellite TV station, Al Jazeera.

An Al Jazeera news crew arrived in Seoul from Tokyo later in the day.

Ban said it remains unclear when the government will come in contact with the kidnappers.