Korean man held hostage in Libya returns home

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Fri, December 8, 2023 | 09:14

Foreign Affairs

Korean man held hostage in Libya returns home

Posted : 2019-05-18 16:41

Updated : 2019-05-18 19:56

The Korean man, who was abducted in Libya last July and released earlier this week, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Saturday. Yonhap

A South Korean man, who was abducted in Libya last July and released this week, expressed gratitude to the government for its rescue efforts upon his arrival home Saturday.

The 62-year-old, identified only by his surname Joo, was taken hostage, along with three Filipinos, by a group of 10 armed militants July 6 while working at a desalination plant in western Libya. He was released Thursday after 315 days in captivity.

"President (Moon Jae-in) and staff from the foreign ministry, as well as embassy staff in Abu Dhabi, took great pains to rescue me over the 315 days," Joo told a throng of reporters at Incheon International Airport.

Joo also extended his appreciation to the United Arab Emirates, which Cheong Wa Dae said played a crucial role in the process of rescuing him from the militant group.

Looking tired, he called the days of captivity "nightmare-like."

"I also thank my God very much ... who had been with me during the nightmare-like 315 days," he said. "All thanks to you, I am in good shape, though I have lost 10 kilograms."

Asked about the toughest challenge he faced during captivity, Joo said missing his family and having difficulty with the food.

He also left a message to four South Koreans who have rejected the government's call to leave Libya, citing livelihood concerns. "I think it would be better to get out," he said.

Joo is known to have worked in Libya for decades, a reason why he could not easily leave the country despite the travel restrictions that Seoul imposed in 2014.

A foreign ministry official said Joo is unlikely to face any punitive measure for having stayed in Libya despite the restrictions.

After he was held hostage last year, Seoul took stronger measures to prevent South Koreans from traveling to Libya, including revoking their passports. But applying such a measure to Joo was "inappropriate" as they were put in place after he was abducted, the official said. (Yonhap)