Domestic civic groups said a ship carrying activists, including one Korean, bound for the Gaza Strip was seized by Israel.
The Korea Civil Society Emergency Action in Solidarity with Palestine (hereinafter Emergency Action), Gangjeong Friends, Pioneers, and other civic groups held a press conference in front of the Israeli Embassy in Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 8th and said this. They also urged, "Stop seizing civilian ships and release the activists from detention."
According to them, at about 11:40 a.m. (Korea time) that day, 11 ships from the "Thousand Madleens To Gaza" flotilla were reported seized by Israel. Korean national activist Kim Ah-hyun was also on board this flotilla.
Madleen is the name of a sailing ship that was seized by Israel in June while heading to the Gaza Strip carrying activists including Greta Thunberg.
Emergency Action and others demanded, "The embassy in Israel should immediately meet with the detainees and ensure they can receive assistance from lawyers," and "The Korean government and the National Assembly should strongly protest Israel's violations of international law and human rights abuses."
According to Emergency Action and others, in a letter sent before the voyage, Kim wrote, "The purpose of this voyage is for those of us blocked to meet, to break the blockade," adding, "I believe that, through the solidarity of Jeju, Saemangeum, Okinawa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Palestine, and countless people, we can sever the blockade created by capital and the military."