Two South Korean activists returned to their homeland on Friday after being released by Israel following the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters, escalating diplomatic and political tensions between Seoul and Tel Aviv.
Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyeon were among nearly 430 international activists attempting to deliver food, medicine and humanitarian supplies to Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing blockade, reported The Korea Herald.
The activists, from countries including Spain, Ireland, Türkiye, France and Indonesia, were detained after Israeli forces seized multiple vessels before they could reach Gaza.
Kim Ah-hyun had been aboard the Lina Al Nabulsi, intercepted on Tuesday, while Kim Dong-hyeon travelled on the Kyriakos X, seized a day earlier. Both were released on Thursday from detention in southern Israel.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival in South Korea, Kim Ah-hyun accused Israeli forces of “illegally abducting” and assaulting activists during the raid.
She said she suffered injuries to her left ear after being beaten by Israeli personnel and now has difficulty hearing. Despite the ordeal, she vowed to continue participating in humanitarian missions to Gaza, The Korea Herald reported.
