South Korean President Criticizes Israel's Seizure of Aid Ship, Detainment of 4

An international aid group's ship delivering supplies to the Gaza Strip was seized by the Israeli Navy off the coast of Gaza on the 20th, and four people, including a South Korean, were detained, Yonhap News and other outlets reported. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized the action, calling it "extremely inhumane," and his remarks, including mentioning an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, have caused a stir.

According to reports, the ship departed from Italy on the 2nd and was heading to Gaza. Regarding aid ships, another ship that set sail from Greece on the 18th was seized in international waters off Cyprus, and a South Korean activist was detained. The South Korean government is calling for their early release.

On the 20th, at a State Council (Cabinet meeting), Lee raised the question, "Is it appropriate to seize and detain a ship from a third country that is providing aid?" He repeatedly asked, "Is the location where it was seized within Israel's territorial waters?" and pressed, "Shouldn't we protest?"

Furthermore, he also stated regarding the fighting in Gaza, "Isn't it an illegal invasion under international law?" When National Security Advisor Wei Sung-rak explained, "That point needs verification. The attack by Hamas on Israel was the trigger," Lee remarked, "Isn't the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Netanyahu because they recognized him as a war criminal?" He also requested consideration regarding the execution of the arrest warrant if Netanyahu enters the country.

Regarding human rights issues related to the Israeli military, Lee had a dispute with the Israeli Foreign Ministry in April over a video allegedly showing Israeli soldiers dropping the bodies of Palestinians from a building, which Lee had criticized.

[Seoul, Motomi Kusakabe]