Who was kidnapped in Manila and what happened when he was released?

A Korean man in his 40s was kidnapped in the Manila metropolitan area last Friday and was safely released Tuesday. The foreign ministry said he is in good health.

How did the kidnapping in Pasay happen and when did the abductors ask for ransom?

The man was taken from a vehicle in the Pasay area of Metro Manila while riding with an acquaintance. About 18 hours later, the abductors contacted another acquaintance and demanded ransom for his release.

Korean man kidnapped in Manila released safely: foreign ministry

Q: What did Seoul’s foreign ministry do after the kidnapping in the Philippines?

The ministry said it received a report from its embassy in the Philippines, then set up a task force and worked with the National Police Agency, Philippine police and other local authorities to secure the man’s safe release. Officials said the motive and details of the incident are still under investigation.

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Summary

A Korean man in his 40s who was kidnapped in the Manila metropolitan area last Friday was safely released Tuesday, Seoul’s foreign ministry said. He was in good health after being taken from a vehicle in the Pasay area of Metro Manila. The abductors later demanded ransom from another acquaintance, and the ministry said it formed a task force with the National Police Agency, Philippine police and local authorities.

Key Facts

The man was riding in a vehicle with an acquaintance in the Pasay area of Metro Manila when the abductors forced him into their own vehicle and fled, leaving the acquaintance behind.
About 18 hours after the abduction, the abductors contacted another acquaintance of the victim and demanded ransom for his release.
The foreign ministry said it established a task force after receiving a report from its embassy in the Philippines and worked with the National Police Agency, Philippine police and other local authorities to secure the man’s release.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 8, 2026 1:23 pm KST
Updated Sep 8, 2026 2:09 pm KST

A Korean man who was kidnapped by unidentified men in Manila last week was safely released Tuesday, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

The man in his 40s, who was kidnapped in the Manila metropolitan area last Friday, was released earlier in the day and is in good health, according to the ministry.

The man was riding in a vehicle with an acquaintance in the Pasay area of Metro Manila when the abductors forced him into their own vehicle and fled the scene, leaving the acquaintance behind, ministry officials said.

About 18 hours after the abduction, the abductors contacted another acquaintance of the victim and demanded a ransom for his release, they added.

"Upon receiving the report from our embassy in the Philippines, we established a task force and have worked to secure his safe release in cooperation with the National Police Agency, Philippine police and other local authorities," the ministry said.

The motive and details of the incident are under investigation, officials said.

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