Three South Koreans have been kidnapped by Egyptian insurgents near the Sinai Peninsula.

The South Korean embassy in Egypt said the three kidnapped men include a 62-year-old man surnamed Lee and a 59-year-old tour guide surnamed Mo. The embassy also said an Egyptian tour guide was kidnapped.

The three South Koreans are apparently relatively safe and have not received any threats. Authorities and local police are currently in negotiations with the insurgents for their release.

Foreign news media say the insurgents are from a Bedouin tribe and are demanding the release of one of their own held by the Egyptian government.

The insurgents took the four men from a tour bus that had a total of 31 South Koreans on board.