The Israeli Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday denied allegations by two South Korean activists who claimed they were assaulted by Israeli forces after being arrested aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
"Contrary to the claims made by the two South Koreans who were aboard the flotilla after their return home, they were never detained," the embassy said in a statement. "The two completed processing immediately upon arrival at Ashdod Port and were deported through an expedited procedure. This further raises questions about the credibility of their claims."
Regarding the abuse allegations, the embassy said, "As Gaza flotilla participants returned to their home countries, they drew international attention, and various serious allegations, including claims of physical abuse, have been raised against Israel." It added that such claims were "part of an attempt to systematically wage a smear campaign against Israel, which was the very purpose for which the flotilla participants embarked on this journey in the first place."
"Israel categorically denies these claims," the embassy said.
Korean activists Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyun had boarded an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza and were seized by Israeli forces on the 20th and 19th of this month, respectively. Israel released them on the 20th, and the two returned home through Incheon International Airport on the 22nd.
Kim Ah-hyun told reporters at the time, "I was also struck in the face multiple times, and one of my ears is not hearing well right now." On the 23rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires to convey the government's grave concerns and to call for a thorough investigation.
