Seoul: The foreign ministry announced on Wednesday that it has formally requested the immediate release of a ship containing a South Korean activist, seized by the Israeli military while en route to Gaza.
According to Yonhap News Agency, local civic groups and foreign news reports indicated that the Israeli military intercepted a flotilla consisting of nine or eleven boats early Wednesday in the Mediterranean Sea. The flotilla, attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, was carrying scores of activists, including a South Korean national, Kim Ah-hyun.
The reports stated that 145 activists, all reportedly in good health, were being transported to Israeli shores for processing and were anticipated to be deported soon, as noted by the Israeli foreign ministry.
A Seoul ministry official emphasized, "Through our embassy in Israel, we are continuously requesting that our citizen be released as soon as possible following a swift and fair procedure."
The Seoul government and its embassy in Israel have been closely tracking the ship's movements, maintaining communication with Israeli authorities, and advocating for the safety of their citizen during the response process, the official added.
The flotilla was reportedly transporting food and medical supplies intended for hospitals in Gaza. The activists aboard, according to foreign media reports, included doctors, politicians, and three Turkish lawmakers.