Seoul: A South Korean activist aboard an aid vessel seized by the Israeli military while approaching the Gaza Strip has been reportedly detained at a prison in southern Israel, a civic group has said. The South Korean activist, identified as Kim Ah-hyun, was among scores of people aboard one of 11 ships bound for Gaza that were intercepted by Israeli forces last Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, civic activists, including Korea Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine and Gangjeong Friends, reported that "Activist Haecho, or Kim Ah-hyun, is said to have been transferred to Ketziot Prison in a desert in southern Israel." The activists criticized the detainment, saying Israel is treating the flotilla participants as "terrorists."

In an Instagram post on Friday, Gangjeong Friends stated that most activists on the Gaza aid flotilla had been sent to "Ketziot Prison, which is notorious for its harsh and abusive conditions." The group claimed that some of them have reported "physical abuse and inhumane treatment during and after the interception."

President Lee Jae Myung has ordered maximum diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe and swift release and return of the South Korean national after he was briefed on the issue late Wednesday. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina also met with Barak Shine, deputy chief of the Israeli mission in South Korea, on Thursday afternoon and requested cooperation on the matter. Shine vowed to work for the safe and swift release of the South Korean national in accordance with due procedures.