Israel denies assault allegations by Korean activists intercepted near Gaza

The Israeli embassy in South Korea has vehemently denied allegations of detention and assault made by Korean activists who were aboard an aid ship intercepted en route to Gaza. The activists, Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyun, had stated upon their return to South Korea that they were physically assaulted by Israeli forces.

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We deny in full the claims of detention and abuse.

In a statement released on April 26, the Israeli embassy asserted that the activists were never detained and questioned the credibility of their claims of mistreatment. The embassy explicitly denied any physical abuse, characterizing the activists' accounts as part of an organized campaign to defame Israel and damage bilateral relations. This response comes just three days after South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the deputy chief of mission at the Israeli embassy to demand a thorough investigation.

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Regarding the two Korean nationals, contrary to the claims they made upon their return, and as confirmed by the Korean government, they were not detained.

Kim Ah-hyun had reported being hit multiple times in the face, resulting in partial hearing loss in her left ear. Kim Dong-hyun detailed experiencing prolonged assault and mistreatment, including having his hands bound behind his back for over two days while in detention before his expulsion. The activists are scheduled to hold a press conference to present medical evidence supporting their claims. The Israeli embassy's strong denial suggests a significant diplomatic disagreement over the incident.

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We conveyed our grave concerns and urged a thorough investigation.