South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret today, April 11, regarding Israel’s response to social media posts made by President Lee Jae-myung.
Diplomatic Friction
The Foreign Ministry stated via social media that it “regrets that Israel’s Foreign Ministry misinterpreted the intent of the President’s post, which expressed a belief in universal human rights rather than an opinion on a specific matter, and refuted it.”
The Ministry further emphasized that the government “firmly opposes all forms of violence and anti-human rights acts, including terrorism pointed out by Israel,” and that “international humanitarian law and human rights must be consistently upheld without exception.”
The Ministry likewise conveyed that it “always shares the unspeakable pain Israel has experienced due to the Holocaust and once again expresses deep condolences to the victims of the Holocaust.”
President’s Posts and Israeli Response
Yesterday, April 10, President Lee Jae-myung shared a video on his social media account, claiming it showed Israeli forces torturing a Palestinian child. He then stated that the act was “no different from the massacres of Jews or wartime killings.”
In a subsequent post, President Lee Jae-myung stressed, “International humanitarian law must be observed in any situation, and human dignity must also be protected as the highest value that cannot be compromised. Human rights are the last bastion and a value that cannot be exchanged for anything.”
In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry asserted via social media that President Lee Jae-myung made remarks belittling the Holocaust on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, stating, “It is unacceptable and deserves the strongest condemnation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the South Korean Foreign Ministry’s statement?
The statement was prompted by Israel’s response to social media posts made by President Lee Jae-myung.
What was the core of Israel’s objection?
Israel objected to President Lee Jae-myung’s comparison of actions by Israeli forces to the Holocaust, deeming it a belittling of the historical event.
What is the South Korean government’s position on human rights and international law?
The South Korean government maintains that international humanitarian law and human rights must be upheld without exception and firmly opposes all forms of violence and anti-human rights acts.
How might this diplomatic exchange influence future relations between South Korea and Israel?
