Foreign Ministry: "Passport Invalidation Lawsuit Underway... Activist Returning from Gaza to Arrive on 22nd"

Israeli Military Deports Two Korean Activists Without Detention

Legal disputes are expected to continue over the invalidation of the passports of South Korean activists who were detained and then released by the Israeli military. Despite government warnings, these individuals boarded a vessel headed for the Gaza Strip, which was seized by the Israeli military enforcing a blockade in the waters near Gaza. The activists, who were released following diplomatic negotiations, are scheduled to return to South Korea via Incheon International Airport on the morning of May 22, 2026.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. Photo by Yonhap News

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on May 21, "Litigation procedures regarding the passport invalidation measure are underway."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invalidated the passport of Kim Ahyun (activist name: Haecho) in April, after learning of her plans to travel to the Gaza Strip for Palestinian relief activities. In response, Kim filed a lawsuit against the decision. Kim's request for a stay of execution against the passport surrender order was dismissed, and the main lawsuit is currently ongoing.

The entire Gaza Strip is currently designated by the South Korean government as a "travel ban (Level 4 travel alert)" area. Visiting or staying in a Level 4 travel alert zone can be subject to penalties under the Passport Act and related regulations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it intends to maintain its current policy of invalidating passports for travel-ban regions, given the possibility of similar incidents occurring in the future. However, the ministry said it would consider whether institutional improvements are necessary in light of this case. An official added, "The principle of protecting citizens and their lives remains unchanged," and said, "We will examine whether there are aspects that can be improved institutionally."

Another official explained, "The activists have filed a lawsuit through their organizations," adding, "The legal determination on the current laws will be made through the lawsuit, and if the outcome indicates problems with the current system, the necessity for revision will be considered accordingly."

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two South Korean activists, including Kim, were released after being detained by the Israeli military and are scheduled to arrive in South Korea via Thailand, a third country, on the morning of May 22, 2026. The ministry issued a travel certificate to Kim, whose passport had been invalidated, to facilitate her return.

Previously, the relief vessel "Rina Al Nabulsi," operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and boarded by Kim, was seized by the Israeli military in the early morning of May 20. Another activist, Kim Donghyun, was captured on May 19 while on board a different relief ship. Kim Ahyun had also been detained and released by the Israeli military in October of last year.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Park Il stated at the Government Complex Seoul that "the government, at various levels, repeatedly requested the immediate release and deportation of our citizens, with their safety as the top priority, both before and after the seizure of the vessel on which they were traveling," adding, "In consideration of these requests, the Israeli authorities deported the two South Korean nationals without placing them in detention facilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.