The South Korean foreign ministry has urged Israel to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations made by two South Korean activists who claimed they were assaulted by Israeli forces while detained on aid vessels heading to the Gaza Strip. The activists, Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyeon, reported being assaulted by Israeli forces, with Kim Ah-hyun stating she suffered hearing loss in her left ear due to repeated strikes. South Korea demanded a comprehensive probe into the incidents and emphasized the need for appropriate action if the claims of mistreatment by Israeli forces are substantiated.
The ministry expressed strong concerns over the detention of the two South Korean nationals and highlighted the importance of investigating the alleged physical assaults during the seizure of the vessels. The government stated its commitment to handling the situation with integrity and continuing diplomatic discussions with the relevant parties. Last week, the Israeli military intercepted the Lina Al Nabulsi vessel carrying Kim Ah-hyun and Jonathan Victor Lee, as well as the Kyriakos X boat with Kim Dong-hyeon and other activists aboard.
Israeli authorities deported the two South Korean activists promptly without detaining them, as confirmed by Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung during a press briefing. The release of the activists followed the interception of the aid vessels near the Gaza Strip, raising international attention to the reported incidents of assault and detention by Israeli forces.
