2 S. Koreans seized on Gaza-bound aid vessels return home

Two South Korean activists, Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyeon, returned to Seoul on Friday after being released by Israeli forces. They had been detained earlier this week while aboard aid vessels heading toward Gaza—Kim Ah-hyun’s ship was intercepted off Gaza’s coast, while Kim Dong-hyeon’s vessel was stopped near Cyprus. Both activists described their treatment at the hands of Israeli forces as abusive. Kim Ah-hyun claimed she was assaulted in the face and suffered hearing loss in her left ear, while Kim Dong-hyeon accused Israeli forces of subjecting them to 'unendurable violence.' Images of the activists kneeling with bound hands circulated after their release, drawing criticism. This is not Kim Ah-hyun’s first attempt to reach Gaza. In October, she was detained during an unauthorized aid flotilla and later released. Before her latest voyage, South Korea revoked her passport. Kim Dong-hyeon joined her on this mission, though details of his prior involvement were not specified. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung condemned Israel’s actions, stating the seizures violated international maritime rules since the ships were not in Israeli territorial waters. The incident has reignited tensions over humanitarian aid access to Gaza amid ongoing conflict. The activists emphasized the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with Kim Ah-hyun stating that starvation was killing civilians alongside bombings. Their return follows weeks of international debate over aid deliveries to the region.