South Korea's Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday that eight South Korean seamen kidnapped by pirates in Somalia in April have been released and are on their way home.
It added that 17 other crew members from Indonesia, China, and Vietnam were also freed unharmed.
"The ship Dongwon is now out of Somalian waters and is on the move to a safe area, escorted by a U.S. warship at the request of our (South Korean) government," Foreign Ministry spokesman Choo Kyu-ho said in a press release.
The sailors, on a tuna ship owned by South Korea's Dongwon Fisheries Co., were kidnapped on April 4 off the coast of Somalia Song Jang-sik, president of the fisheries company, later said all of the 25 crew members were unharmed.
"I have been notified by (the boat's) captain that no one had any health problems. I heard some of them have even gained weight since they ate without working," Song told reporters.
The release came after the boat's South Korean owner reached an agreement, which reportedly included a large ransom, with the captors on Saturday.
The company head acknowledged paying a ransom, but refused to reveal the amount, saying it could set a bad precedent for other bandits.
Sources privy to the deal said earlier that about US$800,000 in ransom was paid for the crew's release.
Foreign Ministry officials said the crew members would be allowed to rest for two or three days in Kenya before the South Koreans are airlifted to the country.
The rest of the crew members would also be provided tickets to fly to South Korea if they wish, according to the officials.
Seoul, July 31 (Yonhap News)
S. Korean fishing boat and crew released from Somalia: ministry |
