아이티에서 납치된 한국인 2명이 무사히 석방되다

[홀랜]

Two South Korean nationals who were kidnapped by a gang in Haiti in late July have been released, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

The two employees of a South Korean company were abducted in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, on July 31 while staying in the country on business.

One of the two was released on Aug. 18, while the second was freed on the afternoon of Sept. 1, local time, according to the ministry.

Both are safe and in good health.

Following a report of the kidnapping on July 31, the Foreign Ministry set up an emergency task force for the protection of overseas Koreans and dispatched an interagency rapid response team to the region.

The government worked closely with Haitian police, other relevant authorities and diplomatic missions of friendly countries to secure the safe release of the two nationals, the ministry said.

Haiti has been designated by the South Korean government as a travel-ban country since May 2024 amid persistent security concerns. South Koreans seeking to stay in the country are required to obtain special permission to use their passports there.

The two kidnapping victims had received such permission because they were engaged in business activities in Haiti.

Following the abduction, the Foreign Ministry urged other South Korean nationals remaining in Haiti to relocate to safer areas and minimize unnecessary travel outside their residences or workplaces to prevent similar incidents.

cheesuk@heraldcorp.com