Seoul making "upmost" diplomatic efforts for release of a Korean from Israeli detention

SEOUL, October 09 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered the utmost diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe release and return of a South Korean national aboard a Gaza-bound aid vessel detained by Israeli forces, the presidential office said Thursday. 

The president directed the government to carry out all possible diplomatic endeavors for the swift and safe return of the Korean citizen, identified as Kim Ah-hyun, after being briefed on the matter, according to a written statement from presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. 

Kim was aboard one of 11 humanitarian ships bound for Gaza that were intercepted by Israeli forces on Wednesday. Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post on X that all passengers were in “good health,” had been safely transferred to an Israeli port, and were expected to be deported “promptly.” 

The latest flotilla, carrying food and medical supplies to the war-torn Gaza Strip, reportedly included hundreds of passengers from various countries. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), backed by the United Nations, recently confirmed that famine conditions have been observed in Gaza City — the main target of Israel’s military campaign — as a result of prolonged malnutrition during the two-year Hamas-Israeli conflict. 

The Korean foreign ministry said it is working closely with the Korean Embassy in Israel to ensure the “safe and fair” return of its citizen.