How were the two Koreans kidnapped in Haiti released by the foreign ministry?

The foreign ministry said the two employees were released separately after about a month in captivity. It said the government formed a task force after the kidnapping was reported and worked closely with Haitian authorities to secure their safe release.

When were the two Korean employees kidnapped and when were they freed in Haiti?

They were kidnapped on July 31 in Port-au-Prince while heading to work. One was released on Aug. 18, and the second was freed on Tuesday.

2 Koreans kidnapped in Haiti released safely: foreign ministry

Q: Why is Haiti under a travel ban for Koreans, and what did the ministry say about the security situation?

The ministry said the kidnapping happened amid deteriorating security conditions in Haiti, where gangs wield significant influence over parts of the country. Korea has designated Haiti as a travel-ban country since May 2024, and Koreans need special permission to use their passports to stay there.

Listen

Summary

Two Korean employees kidnapped in Haiti were safely released after about a month in captivity, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Wednesday. One was freed on Aug. 18 and the other on Tuesday, and both are in good health. The government set up a task force and worked with Haitian authorities after the kidnapping was reported to the Korean Embassy in the Dominican Republic. The ministry said the case occurred amid worsening security in Haiti, where Korea has had a travel ban since May 2024.

Key Facts

The two Koreans were kidnapped on July 31 in Port-au-Prince while on their way to work.
One hostage was released on Aug. 18 and the other was released on Tuesday.
Korea has designated Haiti as a travel-ban country since May 2024, and Koreans need special permission to use their passports to stay there.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 2, 2026 3:03 pm KST

Residents gather next to the covered bodies of people killed during an overnight raid by an armed gang on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince in Kenscoff, Aug. 24. Reuters-Yonhap

Korean employees of a local company who were kidnapped by a gang in Haiti have been safely released after about a month in captivity, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

On July 31, the two were kidnapped by a gang in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, while on their way to work.

"One of them was released Aug. 18, followed by the release of the other on Tuesday. Their health conditions are good," the ministry said in a release to reporters.

Following a report of the kidnapping to the Korean Embassy in the Dominican Republic, which is also accredited to Haiti, the government established a task force and worked closely with Haitian authorities to secure their safe release, it added.

The incident occurred amid deteriorating security conditions in Haiti, where gangs wield significant influence over parts of the country.

Korea has designated Haiti as a travel-ban country since May 2024, and Koreans require special permission to use their passports to stay in the country.

The two Koreans had been staying there after obtaining such permission for business activities, according to the ministry.

There have been similar kidnapping incidents involving Koreans in the Caribbean country. A Korean businessman was kidnapped in 2005 and released three days later. In 2021, a missionary couple was abducted along with three other foreign nationals and released 17 days later.

Explore More