Korean activist recognized by church group for humanitarian work in Gaza

Human rights activist Kim Ah-hyun. Courtesy of Gangjeong Friends

Kim Ah-hyun, 27, an activist who was detained by Israel last month after joining a Gaza aid flotilla, was awarded this year’s Korean Churches Human Rights Award, the oldest human rights prize in Korea, given to those who advance human dignity.

The Korean Churches Human Rights Center said Monday that Kim was honored for raising awareness of the suffering of Palestinian refugees and actively taking part in humanitarian relief efforts.

Kim, a member of Thousand Madleens to Gaza — a volunteer coalition that sends aid flotillas to challenge the Gaza blockade — is the first Korean to take part in such activities.

Last month, she was detained for two days by Israeli authorities in international waters about 220 kilometers off the Gaza Strip and released in a voluntary deportation.

“Since Gaza has been officially blockaded since 2009, the sea was the only route in,” Kim said earlier this month. “We sailed not only to reach Gaza, but also to stand in solidarity with the small island communities across East Asian waters.”

Kim became interested in social issues from her teenage years and took part in various human rights and peace movements, including protests against the naval base construction in Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island and opposition to a high-voltage transmission tower project in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province.

Established in 1987 as the National Council of Churches in Korea Human Rights Award, the prize was renamed last year as the Korean Churches Human Rights Award.

The award ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4 on the second floor of the Korea Christian Association Building in Jongno District, central Seoul.