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(LEAD) presidential office-Israel

(LEAD) Presidential office welcomes Israel's release of 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid vessels

(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks from 3rd para)

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Israel has released two South Korean nationals captured while heading for the Gaza Strip aboard humanitarian aid vessels, the presidential office said Thursday, welcoming their release.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announced their release at a press briefing a day after the Lina Al Nabulsi, carrying South Korean activist Kim Ah-hyun and Korean American activist Jonathan Victor Lee, was intercepted by the Israeli military in waters near the Gaza Strip.

Two days earlier, Israeli forces seized another aid boat, the Kyriakos X, which was carrying South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon, among other activists from around the world.

"The Israeli side immediately deported the two South Korean nationals without placing them in a detention center," Kang said.

The spokesperson still expressed "regret" over Israel's initial capture and detention of the South Koreans.

"The Lee Jae Myung government expresses strong regret over Israel's detention of our nationals during its seizure (of vessels). However, it highly appreciates Israel's immediate release of our nationals and welcomes this (decision)," Kang said.

She voiced hope that the latest incident would not affect relations between South Korea and Israel and that bilateral ties would continue to advance.

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