A South Korean woman studying in the Philippines was found dead in the Southeast Asian country after being abducted more than a month earlier, the foreign ministry here said Wednesday.

The woman in her mid-20s, whose identity was withheld, had been missing in the Philippines since early March, the ministry said.

"Her body was found in the hiding place of abductors Tuesday night despite our utmost efforts to free her," a ministry official said.

Philippine police arrested one of the abductors Tuesday night and is working to catch other accomplice, the official said.

"At least three or more abductors seem to be involved in the kidnapping and murder case," he said, adding that the motive for the crime is unclear.

The official said she was moving to another place to meet her friend when she was kidnapped. (Yonhap)