Asia-Pacific

No S Koreans held hostage in Manila

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-23 15:17

SEOUL -- No South Koreans were held hostage in the Philippines Monday, Seoul's foreign ministry said, dismissing media reports earlier in the day.

"We understand that there were no Koreans involved," Kim Young- sun, the ministry spokesman, told reporters in a press briefing.

Media reports coming out of Manila had said a tourist bus with 22 Koreans aboard was hijacked by an armed ex-police officer demanding his reinstatement. He reportedly released six hostages later, including three children.