The parents of Kim Sun-il, a South Korean man held hostage in Iraq, asked for an immediate cancellation of the planned dispatch of additional Korean troops to Iraq so as to secure their son's release at a candlelight vigilin downtown Busan Monday night.

Taking part in the rally jointly organized by about 100 local civic groups, Kim's parents -- Kim Jong-gyu and Shin Young-ja -- pleaded for their son's release, according to the S.Korean Yonhap news agency.

"The only way to obtain the release of my son Sun-il is to cancel the troop dispatch plan," Kim's mother sobbed, calling for help from President Roh Moo-hyun and the Korean government.

The rally was attended by several hundred residents of the southeastern port city. Another candlelight vigil for the release of Kim was held in downtown Seoul.

Source: Xinhua