Foreign Ministry: "Grave Concern Over Beating of Korean Activists by Israeli Military...Actions to Follow Fact-Checking"
Regarding the claims made by South Korean activists, who were detained and later released by the Israeli military, that they were subjected to beatings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on May 22, "We will take appropriate measures in line with the seriousness of the matter, depending on the outcome of fact-finding efforts."
The ministry announced through a press release on this day, "We take very seriously the testimony of our nationals regarding acts of beating by the Israeli military," and added, "We have conveyed our grave concern to the Israeli side."
Earlier that morning, activist Kim Ahyeon (activist name: Haecho), who returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport, said in an interview with reporters, "The Israeli soldiers were extremely agitated at the time of the ship seizure," and added, "By the time I was sent to prison, many people had already been beaten. I was struck in the face several times as well, and as a result, my left ear can hardly hear."
Kim Donghyeon, who was also detained and released alongside Kim, stated, "What Israel did to us was to hijack unarmed vessels in international waters, torture and detain civilians—violence of an unbearable degree. Israel continues to claim these are legal procedures, but I want to stress that this is absolutely not true."
Not only these South Korean activists but also activists from several other countries have had photos released showing them being handcuffed and forced to kneel by the Israeli military, sparking growing controversy in the international community.
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Meanwhile, the "Korea Flotilla for Freedom of Palestine (KFFP)," which has supported the activities of Kim Ahyeon and Kim Donghyeon, will hold an event condemning Israel near the Embassy of Israel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of May 22.
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