▲ This file photo shows activist Kim Ah-hyun. (Yonhap)

S Korean activist-Middle East

Israeli forces seize humanitarian aid flotilla carrying S. Korean activist: civic group

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- Israeli forces have seized a humanitarian aid flotilla carrying a South Korean activist headed for the Gaza Strip, a civic group said Tuesday.

According to the group advocating for Palestinian liberation, the Kyriakos X boat carrying activist Kim Dong-hyeon was intercepted by the Israeli military at around 8 p.m. Monday (Seoul time).

Kim is now presumably detained aboard an Israeli warship along with other activists from around the world, the group said.

Kim departed for Gaza earlier this month despite a government travel ban on the territory.

Before him, another activist, Kim Ah-hyun, headed for Gaza despite the government's revocation of her passport over an earlier attempt in October to enter the territory without authorization.

At the time, she was detained by Israeli forces and later released.

The civic group said the boat she is traveling on is near the Kyriakos X and at risk of also being seized.

South Koreans are barred from traveling to or staying in the Gaza Strip without government approval, and violators can face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won (US$6,685) under the Passport Act.

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