Three Koreans kidnapped in Philippines

By Park Si-soo

Three Korean businessmen who have been missing on a southern island in the Philippines since late last month have been confirmed as being kidnapped by unidentified gunmen, a foreign ministry official in Seoul said Monday.

The three have been missing since Oct. 21 on the Philippine island of Mindanao and local police recently confirmed that they were being held by gunmen, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The kidnappers have demanded a ransom for the Koreans, and their families are negotiating with them, the official said.

“We are closely coordinating with local police officials to resolve the kidnapping,” the official said, adding that the hostages have been confirmed to be safe.

Officials at Seoul’s foreign ministry said they are in contact with the families and the ministry is making “utmost efforts to bring the victims home safe.” The official declined to confirm who had abducted the men.

In Mindanao, abductions for ransom by Muslim rebels are common and the Korean government has a travel advisory warning citizens against travel to the region.

In 2008, Islamic rebels kidnapped a South Korean businessman in the Philippines who was freed about two months later after a ransom was paid.