Foreign Ministry says Israel misunderstood President Lee’s remarks on Jews, expresses regret over rebuttal

[Financial News] As controversy continues over President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea’s criticism of Israel, the government has stated that it "regrets" that the intent of his remarks was misunderstood.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "we regret that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel misunderstood the intent of the president’s message, which expressed a belief in universal human rights rather than an opinion on a specific issue, and issued a rebuttal."
It went on to stress, "Our government firmly opposes all forms of violence and anti-human-rights behavior, including the terrorism cited by Israel, and has consistently maintained that international humanitarian law and human rights must be upheld without exception."
The ministry added, "We always share in the indescribable pain that Israel has suffered because of the Holocaust, and once again express our deep condolences to the victims of the Holocaust."
The previous day, President Lee had raised the issue of the killing of civilians during wartime, likened it to the genocide of Jews, and underscored the need to protect human rights and comply with international human rights law.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel countered on X that his remarks were "unacceptable," criticizing that "President Lee made comments belittling the genocide of Jews ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day."
Israel’s Foreign Ministry further stated that President Lee’s remarks were "unacceptable and deserve strong condemnation." It also claimed that the video on war crimes mentioned on X "distorts events from 2024 as if they were happening now and originates from an account that has spread anti-Israel disinformation."
In turn, President Lee wrote on X on the morning of the 11th that he was "disappointed" that Israel had not taken the time "to reflect, even once, on the criticism from people around the world who are suffering and struggling because of its constant anti-human-rights and anti-international-law actions." He also emphasized, "If I am in pain, others hurt just as much," adding, "It is only human to feel sorry if someone else suffers because of my needs."
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter