The World - News from Oct. 29, 1987

A South Korean diplomat taken hostage 21 months ago was reported released in Muslim West Beirut after a ransom of at least $1 million was paid to his kidnapers. Shia Muslim militia chief Nabih Berri told a news conference that Do Chae Sung, 38, second secretary at the South Korean Embassy, was released Monday and that Amal later helped him leave the country. In Seoul, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said it could not confirm Do’s release and denied that a $1-million ransom was paid. Beirut radio quoted airport sources as saying that Do, accompanied by another Korean diplomat, boarded a plane for Kuwait on Tuesday on his way home. Do’s kidnapers were not specifically identified.