Freed Korean Sailors Arrive in UAE

DUBAI-- Five South Korean sailors who had been held captive by Somali pirates for nearly three months arrived safely in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

The MV Chemstar Venus, owned by a Japanese shipping company, was hijacked on Nov. 15 last year in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden. Its 23 crew members, including 18 Filipinos, were released on Feb. 13.

The sailors appeared healthy and will receive medical check-ups at a hospital in the port of Fujairah before departing for Seoul on Monday, according to an official at the Korean foreign affairs ministry.

"We stayed cool even though the pirates threatened to kill us. That helped keep us alive, I think," said Seo Byung-soo, 58, captain of the boat. "I'm sorry for causing the Korean people concern."