Seoul: A South Korean national has been released safely after being kidnapped from his home in the Philippines earlier this week, Seoul's foreign ministry announced on Saturday. The incident took place at around 3 a.m. on Sunday in Clark, north of Manila, when approximately 10 individuals arrived at the victim's residence, pretending to be officials from investigative and immigration agencies.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean national was safely taken into custody by the Philippine police early Saturday and is currently under their protection. Reports confirm that the released individual is in good health.
The kidnappers had made several ransom calls to the victim's family. However, a diplomatic source refrained from providing further details due to privacy concerns. The foreign ministry and the South Korean Embassy in the Philippines collaborated with local law enforcement to ensure a prompt release of the national and offered consular support to the family members.