A South Korean captain of a hijacked ship who was shot by Somali pirates during a rescue operation in the Arabian Sea last Friday remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery.

Doctor Lee Kook-jong of Ajou University Hospital told reporters Thursday that the next two to three days will be critical for Captain Seok Hae-kyun. Lee is one of three doctors that have been dispatched to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman to partake in the captain's treatment.

Lee said that the captain’s surgery on Wednesday was a success but that the situation remains difficult.

Lee added that six gunshot wounds, including three in the stomach, were found on Seok’s body. The characteristics of the wounds suggest that the pirates shot Seok from close-range. Initially, he was reported to have suffered four gunshot wounds.