Domestic rallies continue to call for Washington's intervention in the Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan.

Some 50 progressive civic group members held a news conference Thursday outside the U.S. embassy urging the United States to exert its influence to free the hostages, saying that it is fundamentally responsible for the situation.

They also said a military rescue operation will only threaten the detainees' lives and stressed a peaceful resolution in order to end the vicious cycle of violence.

Ten or so representatives of women's groups including the Korea Women's Associations United also held a rally outside the embassy, calling for U.S. intervention and a peaceful resolution.

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