South Korean Volunteer Shares Ordeal After Detention in Israel
Kim Ah-hyun, a South Korean activist detained by Israeli authorities during a humanitarian mission to Gaza, has been released after several days in custody.
Kim was among more than 150 international volunteers participating in “Thousand Madleens to Gaza,” an initiative that aimed to deliver food and medical supplies to the enclave and raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s blockade. On Oct. 8, the convoy of 11 ships was intercepted by the Israeli navy for what officials described as an attempt to breach a “lawful maritime blockade.”
Human rights groups criticized the interception, calling it a violation of international law, and several governments, including South Korea, lodged diplomatic appeals.
Speaking by phone from France, where she is recovering, Kim thanked the South Korean government and public for their efforts to secure her release. “Thanks to the efforts of the (Korean) government and the people, I was able to be released quickly, and I’m very grateful for that,” she said. “But I only hope they will remember that Palestinians live in a more dangerous situation.”
Following the interception, Kim was taken to Ketziot Prison, a high-security facility in Israel’s southern desert known for its inhuman treatment of detainees. She described the conditions as degrading and unsanitary. “They tied up the wrists of the people, blindfolded them, and dragged them away violently,” she recalled. “I remember (the cell) was about the size of seven small cots. There was only one bathroom, and no soap or toilet paper was provided. They didn’t give us drinking water until the end and told us to drink from the tap.” Kim said several detainees were subjected to repeated strip searches and denied basic hygiene supplies. She rejected Israel’s claim that the flotilla was a threat, insisting that the mission operated in international waters and carried only humanitarian cargo.
The South Korean government responded swiftly. On Oct. 10, President Lee Jae-myung ordered “all-out diplomatic efforts” to secure Kim’s release, while Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a met with Barak Shine, deputy chief of the Israeli mission in Seoul, to press for cooperation. That same day, Kim accepted voluntary deportation, flying first to Istanbul and then to France.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry later confirmed her release and said consular officials had provided continuous assistance throughout her detention.
While Israeli officials maintain that the flotilla violated maritime law, activists and legal experts argue that intercepting peaceful aid workers violates international norms. For Kim, the mission remains unchanged. She risked her life because people in Gaza continue to suffer, and while ceasefire talks are underway, the world must pay attention to the situation on the ground until the very end.
Sean Jung R&D Division Director teen/1761788914/1613367592
1. How does Kim’s statement after release reflect the moral or emotional purpose behind her activism?
2. What role did global reactions ? such as human rights groups and foreign governments ? play in shaping the outcome of this incident?
3. What contrast does the article draw between Israel’s claim of enforcing a “lawful blockade” and the volunteers’ insistence on humanitarian action?
4. How might Kim’s ordeal influence public perception of international volunteer work and the risks of humanitarian activism in conflict zones?
1. If you were in Kim Ah-hyun’s position, would you have joined a mission to deliver aid to Gaza even knowing it might be dangerous? Why or why not?
2. Do you think governments should always intervene to protect their citizens abroad, even in politically sensitive cases?
3. How would you feel if you were detained for doing something you believed was morally right?
4. What do you think gives people like Kim the courage to speak out and take action for others?
Kim Ah-hyun, a South Korean activist detained by Israeli authorities during a humanitarian mission to Gaza, has been released after several days in custody.
