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Foreign minister frames Lee's criticism of Israel as appeal to human rights

Published: 15 Apr. 2026, 14:49 Updated: 15 Apr. 2026, 16:57

MICHAEL LEE
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Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks to lawmakers on the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in Yeouido, western Seoul, on April 15. [YONHAP]

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun downplayed controversy over President Lee Jae Myung's recent criticism of Israel, framing his remarks as a principled appeal to universal values in comments to Korean lawmakers on Wednesday.

“I believe the substance of his remarks was to emphasize the importance of universal human rights and international humanitarian law,” he said during an appearance before the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

He added that the Foreign Ministry “clearly understood the intent and purpose” of Lee’s post.

The controversy began Thursday when Lee shared a post and video on X claiming that the Israeli military had tortured a Palestinian and thrown the person from a rooftop. Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded by calling the Korean president’s remarks “unacceptable” and deserving of “condemnation.”

Lee doubled down with further criticism of Israel in subsequent posts on Friday and Sunday.

Cho said he “could not say” whether any practical gains would result from the president’s remarks, but said his ministry viewed them as a call for “peaceful conflict resolution.”

Without mentioning Israel directly, Lee urged parties to ongoing conflicts to take “courageous steps toward the peace the world so desperately seeks” during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Cho also insisted the exchange had not escalated into a diplomatic dispute, despite Israel’s sharp initial response.

“We have communicated closely with Israel, and the matter has been concluded without further statements from the Israeli side,” he said, adding that Korea’s ambassador had conveyed Israel’s appreciation for Seoul’s explanation.

Cho insisted the president’s remarks “should not be considered a source of embarrassment” in response to questions from opposition lawmakers.

The foreign minister also said the government had requested safety assurances for 26 South Korean-linked vessels and their crew stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, sharing their information with Iran, Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the United States.

The vessels have been unable to depart since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Feb. 28 against Iran, which has since imposed a blockade on the strait.

Cho declined to disclose details of meetings held by Chung Byung-ha, Seoul’s special envoy to Tehran, citing diplomatic sensitivities, but said the envoy’s mission was not directly tied to the maritime situation.

He added that Washington and Tehran could still reach an agreement on Iran’s uranium enrichment, noting that Seoul would seek further clarity in talks with Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who arrived in Korea for a two-day trip on Tuesday.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHO MUN-GYU, MICHAEL LEE [[email protected]]