According to the New York Times, Somali pirates have hijacked a South Korean fishing vessel with a crew of 43 on board. Two Koreans, two chinese, and 39 Kenyans were on board when the vessel was apparently attacked on October 9 of the shores of one of Kenya's islands in Kenyan waters. South Korean officials have declined to comment on the state of negotiations, in fact no one is sure if they have even started, saying that it might jeopardize the chances for the fishermens safe release. The ship was supposed to be fishing crab for the past month before it was seized and taken to a pirate stronghold in northern Somalia. The area is known to be rather safe, since regular Kenyan patrols of the area and its distance of 250 miles from the closest known pirate base make it an unlikely area for attack. Kidnapping by Somali pirates is relatively normal in that area only because Somalia hasn't had a functioning government since 1991, and kidnappees are rarely hurt and often released after a ransom has been paid.
by Margaret Nunne
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