Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Korean man released 5 days after abduction in Philippines
A sign for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seen on the facade of the ministry's building in Jongno District, Seoul, Sept. 24, 2025. Newsis
By Bahk Eun-ji
A Korean man in his 40s who was abducted in Manila last week was safely released Friday, five days after he was taken by unidentified men, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The man, who was abducted Sunday, is in good health, according to the ministry.
The victim, a businessman, was reportedly abducted by four local men in the Malate district of Manila. The suspects allegedly blocked the victim's vehicle before another person entered and took him.
The victim later contacted an acquaintance and said the kidnappers were demanding a ransom in exchange for his release, according to Korean media reports.
The Korean Embassy in the Philippines received a report about the abduction on Monday. The foreign ministry then held an emergency meeting with the embassy and set up a task force to handle the case.
The embassy also formed an on-site response team headed by the ambassador and worked with Philippine police, Korean police officers stationed in the country and the foreign ministry in Seoul.
The ministry said it had worked closely with local police and other authorities to secure the man’s early release, with his safety as its top priority.
It declined to provide further details, including how the man was released, citing an ongoing investigation by local authorities.
There were five reported abductions involving Korean nationals in the Philippines in 2023, one in 2024 and three in 2025. Friday’s case was the first reported this year.