Wounded captain of rescued ship recovering after surgery: doctor

The wounded captain of a South Korean cargo ship freed from Somali pirates in a dramatic rescue operation is recovering after surgery in Oman, a doctor said Saturday.

Captain Seok Hae-kyun, 57, was shot in the stomach during Friday's rescue operation by South Korean Navy commandos. He was the only one wounded among the 21-member crew of the 11,500-ton chemical carrier Samho Jewelry seized by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea last week.

Seok was conscious when he arrived at the hospital around noon Friday (5 p.m. Korean time), but surgery was needed due to an excessive loss of blood, a doctor at the hospital in Oman said.

He underwent three to four hours of surgery and wore a cast as both of his legs and his left arm were broken, the doctor said.

After the operation, Seok was taken to an intensive care unit for recovery, he said.

Seok was seen while still unconscious after surgery at the unit with an oxygen mask over his mouth.

Seok is credited with helping the rescue operation to go successfully. Officials said that the captain stalled for time by steering the ship in a zigzag after armed pirates ordered that the vessel move toward the Somali coast. (Yonhap News)