South Korea's Foreign Ministry on Monday said it has formally pressed Israel to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations by two South Korean activists that they were physically assaulted by Israeli forces after being detained aboard aid vessels intercepted en route to the Gaza Strip. The ministry conveyed its concerns directly to the deputy Israeli ambassador to South Korea at its offices on Saturday.

What the Activists Alleged

The two activists, Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyeon, returned to South Korea on Friday following their release. Both stated upon arrival that they had been assaulted by Israeli forces during their detention. Kim Ah-hyun claimed she suffered partial hearing loss in her left ear after being struck on that side of the face multiple times.

South Korea's Diplomatic Response

The Foreign Ministry stated it demanded a thorough investigation and stressed that appropriate measures must be taken if inhumane acts by Israeli forces are confirmed. 'The government expressed strong concerns over Israel's detention of two South Korean nationals,' a ministry official said. 'We take seriously the testimonies by our nationals that there had been physical assaults by Israeli forces during their seizure of the vessels and detention of our people. We will respond to this situation with principle and responsibility and continue our diplomatic communication with relevant countries.'

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, announcing the activists' release at a press briefing, noted that the Israeli side immediately deported the two South Korean nationals without placing them in a detention centre.

The Vessels Intercepted

Last week, the Lina Al Nabulsi — carrying Kim Ah-hyun and Korean-American activist Jonathan Victor Lee — was intercepted by the Israeli military in waters near the Gaza Strip. In the same week, Israeli forces also seized a second aid boat, the Kyriakos X, which had Kim Dong-hyeon aboard alongside activists from several other countries.

Broader Context

The interceptions are part of Israel's ongoing enforcement of a naval blockade around Gaza, which has drawn repeated international criticism. This is not the first time foreign nationals have been detained while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the territory. The South Korean government's decision to summon the Israeli deputy ambassador marks one of Seoul's sharpest diplomatic responses to Israeli military actions in recent months, reflecting growing public and political pressure at home over the welfare of its citizens abroad.

How Israel responds to Seoul's demand for accountability will be closely watched, both bilaterally and as a signal of how it handles similar complaints from other governments whose nationals were aboard the intercepted flotilla.