Israel and South Korea Clash Over Video Shared by President Lee
Israel Condemns Remarks by South Korean President
Israel strongly criticized South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday after he shared a video alleging that Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian child and threw him from a rooftop.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, posting on X, said the president relied on a “fake account” and repeated claims from a 2024 incident that had already been investigated.
It described his comments as “unacceptable” and said they deserved strong condemnation.
Israel Rejects Allegations and Defends Past Investigation
The ministry said the video came from sources that spread “anti-Israeli disinformation.” It also said the incident took place during a military operation against armed militants and that soldiers acted under immediate threat.
According to the statement, authorities had already investigated the case and addressed it.
Israel also accused the South Korean president of ignoring what it called attacks by Iranian and Hezbollah-linked groups against Israeli civilians.
South Korea Raises Concerns Over Human Rights
President Lee said he shared the video to highlight concerns about possible abuses. He stressed that the authenticity of the footage must be verified and that the response to such allegations should be carefully reviewed.
He compared the issue to past historical cases of abuse, including wartime atrocities against Korean “comfort women” during Japanese colonial rule.
Online Post Sparks Diplomatic Tension
The video, originally posted on X by a user named Jvnior, alleged that Israeli soldiers tortured a Palestinian child and threw him from a roof. Lee later said the incident occurred in September 2024.
He also noted that the White House had previously described the situation as “disturbing,” while Israel said it had completed its investigation and taken action.
Growing Criticism and Response
In later posts, Lee expressed disappointment over what he described as continued human rights violations and said international criticism should be taken seriously.
He added that Israel had not properly responded to global concerns about its actions and urged greater attention to international law and human rights.
Lee said he would continue efforts to support universal human rights and protect the national interests of South Korea.
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