A South Korean man in his 40s who was abducted by unidentified assailants in Manila, Philippines, has been safely released.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the South Korean national, a man in his 40s identified as A, who was abducted by unidentified men in Manila on September 4, was safely released today, September 8, local time.

It was confirmed that A is in good health following his release.

A was abducted by assailants while riding in an acquaintance's vehicle in the Pasay area of Metro Manila on the morning of September 4.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, three kidnappers approached the vehicle A was in with another car, left the passenger who was riding with him behind, and forced only A into their own vehicle before fleeing.

About two hours after the incident occurred, the companion notified the South Korean Embassy in the Philippines of the abduction. Approximately 18 hours after the kidnapping, the kidnappers contacted another acquaintance of A to demand a ransom for his release.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that immediately after receiving a report from the embassy in the Philippines on September 4, it established an Overseas Korean Protection Headquarters and held a joint situation assessment meeting involving the headquarters, the Korean National Police Agency, and the embassy to discuss response measures.

"Placing the safety of the abductee as our top priority, we cooperated closely with the Philippine police and other local authorities through our embassy," the ministry explained, adding, "The National Police Agency has also actively cooperated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a swift resolution since right after the incident occurred."

(Photo: Yonhap News)