Israel has released two South Korean nationals who were captured while en route to the Gaza Strip on humanitarian aid ships, as confirmed by the South Korean presidential office. The activists, Kim Ah-hyun and Jonathan Victor Lee, were aboard the Lina Al Nabulsi vessel intercepted by the Israeli military near Gaza.
Another aid boat, the Kyriakos X, carrying South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon and others, was seized by Israeli forces two days prior. The two South Korean nationals were promptly deported without being detained, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.
Expressing regret over the initial capture and detention, Kang stated that the South Korean government appreciates Israel’s swift release of the activists and will ensure their safety through diplomatic channels.
The activists are expected to return to South Korea via a third country on Friday morning, as per the foreign ministry. The ministry emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of nationals and maintaining strong bilateral relations with Israel.
The Israeli Embassy in South Korea clarified that the captured vessels were not carrying humanitarian aid and accused the flotilla of being a provocation against Israel’s anti-terrorism efforts. The embassy defended the naval blockade in Gaza as legal and aligned with international law.
