Remove the spare tire to have easy access and inundate the latch with wd40 for a start. Obviously, it is either rusted or/and the cable is stuck/broken. I have removed the spare and carrier for the winter because it is a mess in the snow/ice .and I do not like to fight to either open it or close it....
BY the way, keep the money: there is a way around that problem
Here you see the lever that has to be moved to unlock the latch.
www.avigex.ca/kia/DSCN2707a.jpg
THis lever on the car body is acted on by this one on the swing carrier:
www.avigex.ca/kia/DSCN2708a.jpg
So you will have to exert pressure on this lever if the cable is unable to do it.
Another view here:
www.avigex.ca/kia/DSCN2710a.jpg
Except fr the cable itself, I do not see much to be damaged there. IF I was caught with this problem, I'll go to a bicycle store and buy a brake cable for $3. and fix it to suit.
BTW, I just sent an e-mail to Zukster to ask for how it ended up with him.