(LEAD) 1 S. Korean, 3 Filipinos held captive for nearly 1 month in Libya

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SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean man and three Filipinos have been held captive in Libya for 27 days by an unidentified armed group, a foreign ministry official said Wednesday.

The four were abducted at a water plant in Jabal Hasouna, the western region of Libya, on July 6, according to the official.

The identity of the kidnappers has not been confirmed. Nor has it been confirmed whether any demands have been made in return for their possible release.

A video clip earlier posted on a Facebook account of a major Libyan media company showed those who appear to be the victims.

One of them, who claims to be a Korean, says in English, "Please help me, president, our country South Korea."

It is not known when the footage was recorded and how it ended up online. A South Korean diplomat stationed in Libya earlier reported its existence to the Seoul government.

The Korean man appears to be relatively healthy despite his nearly month-long captivity.

The Seoul government has been cooperating with local authorities to secure their swift and safe release.

"We have been making all-out efforts since the incident happened," a ministry official said. "We have maintained close coordination with the Libyan government with our top priority placed on the life and safety of our people."

South Korea's military is said to have dispatched its unit operating in the Gulf of Aden to the area on the day when the kidnapping took place.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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