Korean activist on Gaza aid flotilla detained in Israeli prison: civic group

This photo, provided by Gangjeong Friends shows Kim Ah-hyun, a Korean activist who was aboard an aid vessel heading to the Gaza Strip that was seized by the Israel military. Yonhap

ISTANBUL — A Korean activist aboard an aid vessel seized by the Israeli military while approaching the Gaza Strip has been reportedly detained at a prison in southern Israel, a civic group has said.

The Korean activist, identified as Kim Ah-hyun, was among scores of people aboard one of 11 ships bound for Gaza that were intercepted by Israeli forces last Wednesday.

"Activist Haecho, or Kim Ah-hyun, is said to have been transferred to Ketziot Prison in a desert in southern Israel," civic activists, including Korea Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine and Gangjeong Friends, told Yonhap News Agency on Thursday (local time).

The activists criticized the detainment, saying Israel is treating the flotilla participants as "terrorists."

In an Instagram post on Friday, Gangjeong Friends said most activists on the Gaza aid flotilla had been sent to "Ketziot Prison, which is notorious for its harsh and abusive conditions."

The group claimed that some of them have reported "physical abuse and inhumane treatment during and after the interception."

President Lee Jae Myung ordered maximum diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe and swift release and return of the Korean national after he was briefed on the issue late Wednesday.

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina also met with Barak Shine, deputy chief of the Israeli mission in Korea, on Thursday afternoon and requested cooperation on the matter. Shine vowed to work for the safe and swift release of the Korean national in accordance with due procedures.