(4th LD) S. Korea Trying to Verify Report of Kidnapping in Iraq

(ATTN: UPDATES with demand of alleged captors)
SEOUL/CAIRO, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Sunday it was trying to verify a report that one or two of its citizens have been kidnapped in Iraq.

Rumors of abduction reportedly arose after an insurgent group in Iraq claimed on its Web site that it was holding two South Koreans captive.

In a Jan. 6-dated message, the group demanded Seoul withdraw its troops from Iraq within 72 hours or there will be "Allah's judgement."
About 3,600 South Korean troops are stationed in the northern Iraqi town of Irbil to help reconstruct the war-torn country. The contingent represents the third largest in the U.S.-led coalition force after the U.S. and Britain.

In June, a South Korean worker was killed in Iraq after Seoul rejected his captors' demand that the Korean troops be withdrawn.

The South Korean government was on high alert Sunday evening. The Foreign Ministry convened an emergency meeting with Vice Minister Choi Young-jin and other senior officials to discuss the issue. The National Security Council also held a separate meeting.

The Defense Ministry said all of its 3,600 troops in Iraq and the civilians residing on their base have been confirmed safe.

"After carrying out a round of checks, we've found that nothing untoward has happened to any of our nationals known to be in Iraq," an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity. "But, we have to continue to be cautious as people sometimes enter Iraq without notifying the government."
cjs2001@yna.co.kr
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