Korean man rescued in Malaysia after 5-day kidnapping, 3 suspects held

Malaysian authorities rescued a Korean man in his 40s Tuesday, five days after he was abducted in Kuala Lumpur, and detained three Korean nationals suspected in the kidnapping, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The Korean Embassy in Malaysia identified the case as the first kidnapping of a Korean national in the country, according to The Korea Times, underscoring safety risks faced by Korean nationals living abroad.

The victim, a Korean national residing in Kuala Lumpur, was kidnapped April 17, The Korea Times reported Thursday. Authorities did not disclose his identity.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a report of the abduction through its overseas consular call center on Sunday, two days before the rescue, the ministry said.

The Korean Embassy in Malaysia cooperated with Malaysian authorities throughout the investigation, which resulted in the victim's rescue Tuesday. Three suspects, all believed to be Korean nationals, were detained at the scene, according to The Korea Times.

Malaysian authorities have launched an investigation into the case. No information about the motive or circumstances of the kidnapping was immediately available.

The Korean Embassy described the incident as the first known case of a Korean national being kidnapped in Malaysia, The Korea Times reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would continue to coordinate with Malaysian authorities as the investigation proceeds.