Freed Korean ship reaches Kenya

A South Korean fishing vessel released by Somali pirates arrived in Kenya on Tuesday, its crew walking on land for the first time since being kidnapped four months ago, according to news reports.

Seoul’s Keummi 305 arrived at Kenya’s Port Mombasa about a week after it was freed on Feb. 9 under the escort of a Finnish warship belonging to a fleet of the European Union.

All 43 crew members of the 241-ton boat, including two South Koreans, two Chinese and dozens of Kenyans, appeared exhausted but are in relatively good health, Korean officials dispatched in the African state said.

Seized in October, the Keummi 305 was released, reportedly without a ransom, weeks after another South Korean freighter vessel was freed from Somali pirates in a military rescue operation. The ship was traveling near Kenya, carrying about 40 tons of king crabs.

By Shin Hae-in  (hayney@heraldcorp.com)