<p><br /> The South Korean navy has repossessed a hijacked ship, rescuing 21 crew members and killing eight abductors in a courageous raid on Somali pirates.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 11,500-ton freighter 'Samho Jewelry' had set off from the United Arab Emirates heading to Sri Lanka when it was captured.<br /> </p><p><br /> It was the second vessel from South Korea-based 'Samho Shipping' to be overtaken by Somali pirates in recent months.<br /> </p><p><br /> South Korean special forces stormed the ship in the Arabian Sea in a pre-dawn rescue operation with a destroyer and Lynx helicopter capturing five pirates and killing eight.<br /> </p><p><br /> According to Lieutenant General Lee Sung-ho, the captain of the ship was shot and wounded by a pirate and has been taken by a US helicopter to a nearby country for treatment. The 20 other crew members were rescued unharmed.<br /> </p><p><br /> Lieutenant General Lee said the operation showed South Korean government's strong will. Adding there would be negotiations with the illegal activities of pirates targeting South Korean ships.<br /> </p><p><br /> President Lee Myung-bak said that his government would not accept behaviour that "threatens the lives and safety of our people."<br /> </p><p><br /> The successful raid is a triumph for Lee, whose government suffered harsh criticism in November following a North Korean attack on a South Korean island near disputed waters.<br /> </p>
