South Korean fishing ship hijacked by Somali pirates
SEOUL, South Korea — Somali pirates have hijacked a South Korean-operated fishing boat with 43 sailors, Seoul@@@s Foreign Ministry said Sunday.Two South Korean, two Chinese and 39 Kenyans were aboard the 241-ton Kenya-registered trawler when it was attacked Oct. 9 in the waters off Kenya@@@s Lamu Island, South Korea@@@s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.It wasn@@@t immediately known if negotiations with the pirates had begun or if they were demanding a ransom.South Korean officials declined to provide details about the kidnapping, saying that might undermine chances for the fishermen@@@s safe release.Seoul@@@s Yonhap news agency reported the ship had been fishing for crab in the area for about one month before being seized and taken to a pirate stronghold in northern Somalia. The ship with GPS equipment left the stronghold on Saturday and was sailing south, Yonhap reported later Sunday citing the vessel@@@s agent in Kenya. Its destination and reason for moving weren@@@t known.It identified the ship as the Keummi 305 and the two abducted South Koreans as the 54-year-old captain and a 67-year-old engineer, both surnamed Kim.ByREUTERS06/08/2025 07:57 AMByREUTERS06/08/2025 05:36 AMByMAARIV06/07/2025 02:33 PMByWALLA!06/07/2025 11:18 AMByREUTERS06/07/2025 03:25 AM