Ship carrying Hyundai, Kia cars taken by Somali pirates: company

SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- A British-flagged ship carrying 2,300 cars made by
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. has been taken by pirates off the coast of
Somalia, a company source said Sunday.

The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group source said the 13,000-ton Asian Glory owned by
Zodiac Shipping was captured by pirates late Friday about 1,000 kilometers east
of the African nation.
The executive, who declined to be identified, said most of the cars were compacts
and subcompacts that were headed for Saudi Arabia after leaving the South Korean
port of Ulsan.
"Payment for the cars has already been made so there is no damage to
Hyundai-Kia," he said. The executive pointed out that if the cargo is lost or
damaged, the Middle East company that bought them will receive due insurance
payment.
There were no South Korean nationals on board the ship that had a crew of 25.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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