Could pirates swap and kill 2 Korean hostages as revenge?

The Somali pirates who hijacked the cargo ship Samho Jewelry have told the hijackers of the 241-ton Korean-flagged freighter Geummi 305, "If you give us your Korean hostages, we`ll kill them as retaliation."

The pirates who hijacked the Geummi in the Kenyan Sea in October last year are holding as hostages two Koreans (Captain Kim Dae-geun and chief engineer Kim Yong-hyun), two Chinese and 39 Kenyans. The Geummi is in waters three kilometers from the port of Haradere, the stronghold of Somali pirates.

Andrew Mwangura, 47, who runs East African School of Aviation in Mombasa, Kenya, told The Dong-A Ilbo over the phone Monday, "I acquired information that the remaining pirates (whose colleagues were caught by Korean naval forces) contacted the pirates who are detaining the Geummi. (The pirates) said if they hand over the (Korean) hostages, they will kill them as retaliation."

Mwangura said this Friday to KTN and CITIZEN, two Kenyan TV networks. Kim Jong-gyu, a ship dealer and agent at the port of Mombasa, met Mwangura and asked him for additional information.

Nothing, however, has been confirmed yet over the safety of the two Koreans, though the chief engineer is said to be in critical condition after contracting malaria.

"I cannot contact the Geummi at all," Mwangura said. "Though the family of the Kenyan crew is agitated after hearing the news, the Kenyan government is taking no action."

"Since Somali pirates have never cooperated with each other in the past, it remains to be seen whether the Geummi crew will be transferred to the pirates of the Samho Jewelry."

Kim said, "Nothing is confirmed yet about the credibility of (Mwangura`s) information," adding, "It`s been two weeks since contact was cut off and the Korean government is taking no action, which makes the situation worrisome."

coolup@donga.com