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Kidnapper tells Seoul police after arrest, 'I was in debt'

Published: 21 Dec. 2023, 15:23

A man in his 40s, who kidnapped an elementary student that lived on the same apartment building for ransom, being escorted by the police to the Seoul Nothern District Court in Donbong District, Seoul on Thursday. [NEWS1]

Seoul Central District Court on Thursday is reviewing an arrest warrant for a man in his 40s accused of kidnapping an elementary student.

According to the police, the assailant confronted the young student around 8:40 a.m. while the child was on her way to school in an apartment complex in Dobong District, Seoul.

The unidentified suspect, who lived in the same apartment building, threatened the child with a knife while they were together in the elevator.

The suspect then took the student to the rooftop, where he proceeded to tie up the child with wire.

The suspect then sent a ransom note to the student's mother, demanding 200 million won ($153,000) in cash.

Despite warnings from the kidnapper not to involve the police, the parent promptly contacted law enforcement.

The child, left alone when the kidnapper left the building to check for signs of a police presence, managed to get free and returned home roughly an hour after the abduction.

The police tracked down the kidnapper and apprehended the person at 5:15 p.m. at his apartment.

The suspect was reportedly in debt.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [[email protected]]