(SomaliNet) Eight South Korean seamen kidnapped on Somali waters were released on Monday, confirmed South Korea's Foreign Ministry. Seventeen others, five from Vietnam, nine Indonesians and three Chinese were also released. Foreign ministry spokesman Choo Kyu-ho said, "The ship Dongwon is now out of Somalian waters and is on a move to a safe area." The ship was escorted by a U.S warship at the request of the Korean government. The release of the vessel came after an agreement with the owner to pay a certain amount. The fishing company has accepted that they did pay a ransom for the boat but they declined to disclose the amount saying that they would be setting an example to other pirates. The ship owned by Dongwon Fisheries Company was hijacked on April 4 off the Somalian coast. President of the fisheries company said that all the members were unharmed.