Major foreign media outlets quickly reported the South Korean military's successful rescue of a South Korean freighter and its 21 crew members.

AFP news agency reported the news less than five minutes after the Seoul government’s announcement of a successful rescue operation.

Quoting the government's announcement, the Associated Press and Reuters also reported that the Cheonghae unit successfully rescued 21 crew members, killed eight pirates, and captured five others alive during the operation.

BBC also quickly reported the news, saying South Korea sent a destroyer to the area where the "Samho Jewerly" was hijacked last weekend.

Connecting with a special correspondent in Seoul, CNN also reported the unit's successful rescue operation.