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Kidnapped Koreans freed in Mexico | Kidnapped Koreans freed in Mexico |
(40 minutes later) | |
Five South Koreans kidnapped for ransom in Mexico have been released, the South Korean foreign ministry says. | Five South Koreans kidnapped for ransom in Mexico have been released, the South Korean foreign ministry says. |
The group were seized in Reynosa, across the US border from Texas, eight days ago, and $30,000 demanded. | The group were seized in Reynosa, across the US border from Texas, eight days ago, and $30,000 demanded. |
The five work in the used car trade and were visiting the area on business, local media reports. | The five work in the used car trade and were visiting the area on business, local media reports. |
Mexico police are due to hand over the five to South Korean consular officials. It is unknown whether any ransom was paid. | Mexico police are due to hand over the five to South Korean consular officials. It is unknown whether any ransom was paid. |
"Police found the five Koreans held in a hotel in Reynosa. It seems the people smugglers offered to take them across to the United States but then kidnapped them for a much bigger ransom," a spokesman for the Tamaulipas state attorney general's office said. | |
He said the hostages, four men and one woman, were rescued after intelligence work and tip-offs in northern Mexico and Mexico City. | |
Mexico has one of the highest rates of kidnappings for ransom in the world. |
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