S. Korea maintains principle not to have direct negotiations with kidnappers

SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea maintains its principle to not have direct negotiations with terrorist groups and other criminal organizations but to take necessary supporting measures to ensure the safe release of any kidnapped citizens, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

"While maintaining its principle not to have direct negotiations with criminal organizations such as terrorist groups and pirates, the government will take every possible step conducive to efforts (for the release of kidnapped people)," Noh Kyu-duk, ministry spokesman, said during a regular press briefing.

He made the remarks in response to a question about the government's handling of the recent kidnapping case involving South Korean citizens.

Three South Korean sailors on a 500-ton fishing boat are presumed to have been kidnapped in seas off Ghana on March 26. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

The government initially asked for local media not to report on the case, a longtime practice intended to minimize media spotlight that could hamper future negotiations with hijackers and even jeopardize the safety of those held captive.

On Saturday, however, the ministry issued a press release on the kidnapping, an action that a government official earlier suggested was taken out of concern that the current situation could be prolonged without active involvement by the government. A destroyer has also been dispatched to the region to help rescue those people.

Those actions have spawned concerns that they could risk the lives of the people at a time when the government has not figured out who kidnapped them and where they are being held captive right now.

The spokesman defended the actions as efforts to put pressure on the unidentified kidnappers.

"The reason why the government has explored and implemented more active supporting measures is to apply maximum pressure on the kidnappers, create favorable conditions and put an end to the current situation in which our citizens are suffering," he said.

He explained that the embargo on reports was lifted since relevant facts had already been made public by foreign media and the government determined it would be more helpful in securing the safe release of its citizens to take every possible measure.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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