Israeli forces have intercepted a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip, which included South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon. The activist’s boat, Kyriakos X, was seized by the Israeli Navy near Cyprus. Kim, along with other activists, is now reportedly detained aboard an Israeli warship.
Kim Dong-hyeon had departed for Gaza despite a government travel ban on the territory. Another activist, Kim Ah-hyun, had previously attempted to enter Gaza without authorization and had her passport revoked. She was detained by Israeli forces but later released. The civic group behind the flotilla expressed concerns that the boat carrying Kim Ah-hyun is also at risk of being seized.
Travel to Gaza is restricted for South Koreans without government approval, with violators facing potential imprisonment or fines under the Passport Act. The group advocating for Palestinian liberation held a press conference demanding the immediate release of the detained activist in front of the Israeli Embassy in Seoul. They also called on the South Korean government to take urgent action for the activist’s swift release.
The organization’s livestream showed activists on multiple vessels donning life jackets as Israeli troops approached. The livestream ended abruptly as the troops boarded the ship. Currently, many of the vessels are situated off the coast of Cyprus.
