South Korean Aid Workers Allege Brutal Assault by Israeli Forces

Two South Korean activists who were detained by Israeli forces while serving on Gaza aid vessels say they were beaten and otherwise mistreated by Israeli troops. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the 22nd that, after verifying the facts, it will take measures commensurate with the seriousness of the case. The ministry added that it “takes the testimonies of our citizens alleging beatings by the Israeli military very seriously” and has conveyed its grave concerns to Israeli authorities.The two activists, who were released in Israel and returned to South Korea, told reporters they had been assaulted. One activist, Kim Ah-hyun, said, “They hit my face several times; my left ear doesn’t work well now.” Israeli forces seized the aid vessel carrying Kim Ah-hyun on the 19th of this month in waters near the Gaza Strip, and they intercepted the vessel carrying Kim Dong-hyun on the 18th in waters near Cyprus. The activists were released on the 20th and arrived at Incheon International Airport that same day on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.