Release of Two Korean Seafarers Kidnapped in West Africa (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] Two Korean crew members who were kidnapped by armed militants off the coast of Ghana in West Africa on August 28 were released after 50 days in captivity.

According to company officials related to the crew on the 17th (local time), the crew members have been released and are currently in Nigeria. The official added that the Nigerian Embassy in Korea and others supported the negotiation for their release. Their release came 50 days after the kidnapping. The exact health condition of the crew members has not been immediately disclosed.

Earlier, at around 8:04 a.m. on August 28, the Ghanaian 500-ton tuna fishing vessel 'AP703', operating about 200 km south of Lom? Port, Togo, was attacked by armed forces.

At that time, the vessel had two Korean crew members and 48 local Ghanaian crew members on board. The armed militants reportedly transferred only the two Korean crew members to another ship and fled toward Nigeria.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately established the Overseas Korean Citizens Protection Headquarters at its main office and an emergency response team at the relevant diplomatic mission, working closely with domestic agencies and authorities in Ghana and Nigeria to secure the release of the kidnapped crew. This was the second kidnapping incident involving Koreans in West African waters within two months.

On June 24, five Korean crew members aboard the 'Panofi Frontier', engaged in tuna fishing about 111 km from Cotonou Port, Benin, West Africa, were kidnapped after an attack by armed militants.

They were safely released in southern Nigeria on July 24, the 32nd day of captivity, and returned to Korea on August 23.

Additionally, on May 3, a Korean man in his 50s who was shrimp fishing near Libreville, Gabon, was kidnapped by pirates but was later released.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.