South Korean abducted in the Philippines released after four days, in good health

A South Korean man in his 40s who was abducted in the Philippines was released safely after four days and was in good health, the Foreign Ministry said on the 8th.

The man was reportedly taken on the morning of the 4th local time while riding in an acquaintance’s vehicle in Pasay, in Metro Manila. Unidentified men forced only him into their vehicle and fled. About two hours later, the other passenger reported the incident to the South Korean Embassy in the Philippines.

About 18 hours after the kidnapping, the alleged abductors contacted another acquaintance and reportedly demanded a ransom for his release.

After learning of the case, the embassy set up a field command center and communicated with the acquaintance who received the contact, the other passenger at the scene and the man’s family in South Korea. The Foreign Ministry also established a protection headquarters for citizens overseas and held joint situation meetings with the National Police Agency and the embassy to discuss the response.