A day that's been a long time coming.<br/> <br />On a Somali beach, four South Korean sailors abducted by pirates 19 months ago are released.<br/> <br />The MT Gemini tanker was hijacked by pirates on April 30, 2011 while heading from Kenya to Malaysia, with the four sailors and 21 non-Korean crew members on board.<br/> <br />The pirates released the vessel and the non-Korean sailors seven months later, but kept the other four - including the captain - captive.<br/> <br />Safe on a navy vessel, they have their first taste of freedom in 582 days.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) MT GEMINI CAPTAIN PARK HYUN-YEOL SAYING:<br/> <br />"I cannot say anything -- thank you very, very much. My crew had a really difficult time, it's my fault."<br/> <br />Their release comes as ransom talks progressed, after the pirates withdrew their demand that five of their colleagues serving terms in South Korean jails be freed.
