Seoul: The Israeli Embassy in South Korea has denied allegations that Israeli forces detained or mistreated South Korean activists who were captured while aboard aid vessels heading towards the Gaza Strip. The embassy clarified on Tuesday that the activists were not subjected to detention.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the embassy issued a statement asserting that the two South Korean citizens were processed and deported swiftly upon their arrival at the port of Ashdod. "Upon their arrival at the port of Ashdod, the two individuals were processed immediately and deported through an expedited procedure. This further calls into question the allegations they have made," the statement read.

The two activists, Kim Ah-hyun and Kim Dong-hyeon, returned to South Korea last Friday. Kim Ah-hyun was on an aid vessel seized by Israeli forces in waters off the Gaza Strip, while Kim Dong-hyeon's ship was intercepted near Cyprus. Both incidents occurred earlier in the week, leading to their release on Wednesday and subsequent return home.

Kim Ah-hyun had previously attempted to enter the Gaza Strip via an aid flotilla in October without proper authorization, resulting in her detention by Israeli forces at that time. She was later released but had her passport revoked by the South Korean government before her latest attempt.

Kim Ah-hyun has claimed that during her recent capture, she was assaulted by Israeli forces and suffered hearing loss in her left ear due to being struck in the face.