The government said on the 8th that it is asking Israel for the swift release of a ship carrying a Korean activist that was seized by Israeli forces while approaching the Gaza Strip.
An official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters and the Embassy of Korea in Israel continuously monitored the movements of the ship carrying our national. Through the Embassy of Korea in Israel, we are continuously asking the Israeli authorities to ensure that our national can be released as soon as possible through a prompt and fair process."
According to civic groups including Emergency Action of Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine and Gangjeong Friends, at about 11:40 a.m. Korea time that day, 11 relief ships heading to the Gaza Strip were seized by Israeli forces. Korean national activist Kim Ah-hyeon is also on board the flotilla.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) that the vessel and those on board are safe, have been transferred to an Israeli port, and will soon be deported.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Korea in Israel, immediately after becoming aware of the matter, repeatedly tried to contact Kim to inform her of the risks of visiting the Gaza Strip and to notify that visiting a travel-restricted area without exceptional passport use authorization could be punishable under the Passport Act.