Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Korean hostage in Burkina Faso rescued by French forces
A Korean woman arrives at the Villacoublay Air Base in the southwest of Paris, Sunday, along with French President Emmanuel Macron on her right. She was rescued about a month after having been taken hostage by armed militants in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. AP-Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
By Lee Min-hyung
An unnamed Korean woman arrived at a French air force base, Sunday, about a month after having been taken hostage in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, according to Korea's foreign ministry.
“The Korean national arrived safely at around 1 a.m. Sunday (KST) at the base and she was taken to a military hospital for a medical examination,” a ministry spokesman said. The French medical authority said they did not find any health problems, so she will leave the hospital soon.
She was among the four former hostages rescued by French Special Forces last week from militants in the African country. Two French soldiers died while carrying out the rescue mission in northern Burkina Faso.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with the rescued ex-hostages at the Villacoublay Air Base southwest of Paris.
Seoul's Ambassador to France Choi Jong-moon also visited the base to deliver President Moon Jae-in's word of thanks for the sacrifice of the French officials and gratitude for rescuing the Korean national.
Macron also responded by thanking Moon for his gratitude, Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The French president also expressed hopes for the two countries to continue cooperating on the international stage.
After arriving in the French territory, the Korean national had a telephone conversation with her family staying in Korea, the ministry said, adding that she will return home at the earliest possible date upon finishing the medical examination and psychotherapy there.
The four ex-hostages include the Korean woman, an American woman and two French citizens. The French forces launched a raid into the military camp in the African country on Thursday night.
It remains unknown how the Korean woman was kidnapped there.
The Korean foreign ministry said it will spare no diplomatic efforts for to return back safely, and will continue to provide any assistance while she receives any additional medical checkups.