(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jiyeon Kim = A Korean national who had been detained in Israel was released on the morning of the 10th (local time), two days after his capture.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Kim Ah-hyun, a South Korean national who was detained in Israel, has been voluntarily deported on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey and will soon be returning to Korea.

Mr. Kim was detained on the 8th after the international relief ship he was on board was captured by Israeli forces as it was approaching the Gaza Strip.

Since then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that both its headquarters and the Embassy in Israel have been making all-out efforts to ensure Kim's safety, swift release, and early return to Korea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it dispatched a consul from the Israeli embassy to the facility where Kim was being held the previous day to conduct a consular interview and confirm his health and safety.

The Israeli Embassy's consul confirmed Mr. Kim's boarding and takeoff at the airport, and will continue to provide necessary consular assistance through local diplomatic missions, including the Consulate General in Istanbul.

The embassy has repeatedly attempted to contact Mr. Kim in advance to warn him of the risks of visiting the Gaza Strip and that he may be subject to penalties under passport law if he visits restricted areas without an exceptional passport authorization.