Two South Koreans kidnapped by gangs in Haiti released in good health

Two South Korean nationals kidnapped by gangs in Haiti have been released safely, and both are reported to be in good health, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said.

The employees were abducted in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, on July 31. One was released on Aug. 18, while the other was freed the following afternoon.

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Both employees of our local company who were kidnapped by gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, were safely released.

After receiving the report, South Korea’s embassy in the Dominican Republic, which handles Haiti, established a protection headquarters for citizens overseas. The government also sent a joint rapid response team to Haiti and worked with Haitian police, other relevant authorities and diplomatic missions from friendly countries to secure the hostages’ release.

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We worked actively for the safe release of the abductees while closely cooperating with Haitian police and other relevant authorities, as well as diplomatic missions of friendly countries in Haiti.

Haiti has been designated a travel-ban country by South Korea since May 2024. South Korean nationals need exceptional passport-use permission to remain there, and the two employees had received such permission for their business activities.

After the kidnappings, the Foreign Ministry urged South Koreans in Haiti to move to safe areas and minimize unnecessary travel outside. It said the guidance aimed to prevent similar harm to South Korean citizens.

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We have urged South Koreans staying in Haiti to move to safe areas and minimize unnecessary movement outside.