Seoul: Two South Korean activists returned home Friday after being released by Israeli forces that had captured them aboard aid vessels bound for the Gaza Strip. Kim Ah-hyun was aboard an aid vessel seized by Israeli forces in waters off the Gaza Strip, while Kim Dong-hyeon's ship was intercepted near Cyprus -- both earlier this week.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the activists were released on Wednesday and subsequently flew back to South Korea together. They arrived at Incheon International Airport, located west of Seoul, at 6:24 a.m. The activists' return marks the end of a tense episode involving their participation in humanitarian efforts aimed at aiding the Gaza Strip.