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![Above, an image provided by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries shows waters off West Africa where kidnappings are rampant. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/10627005.jpg?imageId=10627005&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![A customer stands in the chocolate aisle at a retail store in Seoul on Tuesday. Valentine’s Day has passed, and the price of chocolate is expected to rise as the price of cacao in the global market has reached its highest since November 2020 due to severe drought in West Africa including Cote d’lvoire, where cacao is produced. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/11331646.jpg?imageId=11331646&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)