The Foreign Ministry says slain hostage Kim Sun-il may have been kidnapped on May 30th, and not June 17th, as earlier claimed by Kim's company boss.

Kim Chun-ho, president of Gana General Trading Co. where the murdered South Korean worked as an Arabic interpreter, was initially quoted as saying that Kim was kidnapped on June 17th. But he subsequently revised the date to June 15th, and then later, to May 30th.

Deputy Foreign Minister, Choi Young-jin, said Wednesday that his ministry is mobilizing diplomatic channels to confirm whether the allegation is true.

Choi said his ministry regards the last date as being the most accurate.

He said the president of the company had not immediately notified the Seoul government of Kim's abduction upon the request of an Arab lawyer in charge of negotiations seeking the captive's release.

In his announcement, Choi also dismissed rumors that the U.S. had not immediately informed South Korea of the kidnapped hostage.