SEOUL, May 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign ministry said Friday that it takes seriously testimony from South Korean nationals who claimed they were beaten by Israeli troops after being detained aboard Gaza-bound vessels, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The ministry said it had conveyed its serious concern to the Israeli side and would take appropriate measures after verifying the facts.
Kim Ah-hyun, a South Korean activist, said after returning home with fellow activist Kim Dong-hyun that she had been hit several times in the face and had difficulty hearing in her left ear.
The two had each boarded Gaza-bound vessels to protest Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, but were arrested after Israeli forces seized the ships. They were released on Wednesday. ■