S. Korean cargo ship seized in Somalia

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details)

By Lee Chi-dong

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- Eight South Korean crew members were kidnapped on Wednesday when their cargo ship was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia, diplomatic sources said.

The 15,000-ton South Korean-flagged vessel was captured at around 4 p.m. (Seoul
time), the sources said, adding that 13 Burmese sailors aboard the ship were also
abducted.

"All of them seem to be safe now," a source said.

The source declined to reveal whether negotiations with the kidnappers were
underway for their release.

Ships operating in Somali waters often fall prey to pirates. More than 25 cases
of ship kidnappings were reported there last year alone.

A South Korean tuna ship with 25 crew was hijacked by Somali pirates in April
2006. The ship and its crew were released for a ransom after four months.

In 2007, two South Korean fishing vessels were seized by Somali pirates. The crew
was released after six months in captivity.