DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Korean Activists Recount Abuse by Israeli Forces After Gaza Aid Mission Detainment

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Korean activists, released after being detained by Israeli forces while attempting to sail to Gaza, have reported experiencing severe physical abuse and ill-treatment.
  • The activists described being beaten, held in stress positions, and subjected to racial discrimination during their detention and deportation.
  • They called for stronger government action and welcomed President Yoon's condemnation of Israel's actions as 'inhumane'.

Two South Korean activists, Kim Dong-hyun and Kim Ah-hyun, have returned home with harrowing accounts of abuse after being detained by the Israeli military while participating in a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza. Their press conference, held just hours after their arrival, paints a grim picture of the treatment meted out by Israeli forces, detailing physical violence, prolonged stress positions causing muscle damage, and discriminatory practices.

During the process of disembarking and even in the prison ship, I was beaten multiple times by the Israeli military while my body was bound, and my muscles were severely torn from maintaining stress positions for a long time.

— Kim Dong-hyunDescribing the physical abuse he endured during detention.

Kim Dong-hyun reported being repeatedly beaten while his hands were bound and suffering significant muscle tears from being held in stress positions for extended periods, requiring hospitalization. Kim Ah-hyun, who stated she lost hearing in her left ear due to the beatings, also highlighted the lack of basic necessities and medical attention during her detention, including the confiscation of her phone and wallet, preventing her from seeking timely treatment.

When I tried to get medical treatment upon returning home this morning, I couldn't because I didn't have my phone or wallet.

— Kim Ah-hyunHighlighting the lack of immediate medical care and basic necessities.

The activists described their detention in cramped container cells and recounted instances of racial discrimination during searches and interrogations, with no clear explanations provided for their apprehension or the reasons behind the alleged threats to Israel. They emphasized that their voyage was peaceful and that Israel's actions felt more like kidnapping than a lawful interception.

Israel's actions felt more like kidnapping, as they apprehended us without any warning or explanation of who they were or why they were detaining us.

— Kim Ah-hyunDescribing the arbitrary nature of the detention.

While welcoming President Yoon Suk Yeol's strong condemnation of Israel's actions as 'inhumane' and his directive to consider pursuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the activists urged the government to take more concrete steps. Their experience, shared from the perspective of South Koreans participating in international solidarity efforts, underscores a deep concern for human rights and a call for greater accountability from nations involved in the conflict.

Our country's president clearly stated why we should designate Israel as a criminal state and stand in solidarity with Palestine, and we hope he will put those words into practice.

— Kim Ah-hyunExpressing hope for stronger government action following President Yoon's statement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog