"Lesson from the North Korean nuclear crisis" vs. "Korea should step in as mediator": Rare clash between Israeli and Iranian ambassadors in Seoul

[The Financial News] The Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Korea stated that the first North Korean nuclear crisis taught a lesson that action had to be taken against the Islamic Republic of Iran as it pursued nuclear development. In contrast, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Korea called on South Korea to play a role in stopping the war. On the 5th, an unusual scene unfolded in diplomatic circles as the Israeli and Iranian ambassadors in Seoul engaged in a war of words over the conflict between their two countries.
Rafael Harpaz, Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Korea, referred to the first North Korean nuclear crisis in 1994 and said, "We learned the lesson that we cannot avoid taking action." Because the threat from the DPRK was not properly contained and its nuclear capabilities have now reached a near-complete stage, he argued, Israel had no choice but to carry out a preemptive military operation to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from completing a nuclear weapon.
Ambassador Harpaz, speaking about the joint military operation with the United States of America, said, "Israel has never intentionally targeted civilian facilities even once," and urged the public to beware of fake news that he claimed was likely being spread from within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
By contrast, Saeed Koozechi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Korea, said, "What is happening in Iran is a global crisis and a source of tension," and appealed, "I hope Korea will play a greater role in stopping the conflict." He went on to argue, "If there is silence over this attack, we can only interpret it as agreement with the United States of America and the State of Israel waging war against Iran."
Ambassador Koozechi declared, "The aggression against Iran must stop," adding, "Because there is currently an illegal and all-out attack, we cannot sit at any negotiating table." He continued, "Seeing the U.S. forces use Arab countries as military bases to attack Iran, I believe the war could drag on longer," insisting that Iran’s response is not retaliation but an act of self-defense.


rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter