Seoul: Israel has released two South Korean nationals who were captured while attempting to reach the Gaza Strip on humanitarian aid vessels, the South Korean presidential office announced, expressing relief at their release.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the announcement was made by Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung during a press briefing. The release came a day after the Lina Al Nabulsi, a vessel carrying South Korean activist Kim Ah-hyun and Korean American activist Jonathan Victor Lee, was intercepted by the Israeli military near the Gaza Strip. Earlier, another aid ship, the Kyriakos X, which included South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon among its passengers, was also seized by Israeli forces.
"The Israeli side immediately deported the two South Korean nationals without placing them in a detention center," said Kang. Despite the release, the spokesperson expressed "regret" over the initial capture and detention of the South Koreans. The South Korean government, led by President Lee Jae Myung, has voiced strong disapproval of Israel's actions, claiming that the seizure violated international regulations.
President Lee criticized Israel at a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing that the vessels were outside Israel's territorial waters when seized, and argued that the South Koreans had not breached any international rules. Following Lee's statements, the South Korean government made significant efforts to provide consular assistance and diplomatic responses, contributing to the successful release of the nationals.
Kang assured that the government will continue to take responsible measures and engage in diplomatic communication to ensure the safety of South Koreans abroad. The two released activists are scheduled to return to South Korea on Friday morning, traveling via a third country, as confirmed by the foreign ministry.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il reiterated South Korea's commitment to the safety of its nationals and emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy diplomatic relations with Israel. The Israeli Embassy in South Korea, however, contested the humanitarian nature of the vessels, stating that no aid was found onboard and labeling the flotilla as a provocation against Israel.
The embassy justified its actions by citing the implementation of a naval blockade in the Gaza Strip as a legal measure compliant with international law, aimed at combating terrorism. Despite these tensions, both nations expressed hope that the incident would not harm their bilateral relations.