The Presidential Office explained on the 13th that the government abstained from a UN Human Rights Council resolution concerning Israel's human rights issues in the Gaza Strip because "the resolution needed to address the positions of relevant parties in a more balanced manner."
"We comprehensively considered various factors including our basic position on universal human rights, the detailed text of the resolution, and the positions of countries with similar stances," a Presidential Office official said. The UN Human Rights Council adopted the resolution last month regarding the human rights situation in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
The resolution reportedly includes demands for accountability over potential violations of international law in Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip and calls for expanded humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Recently, President Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter), linking to footage showing Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) dropping bodies on a battlefield, writing that "there is no difference between the Jewish Holocaust and wartime killings." While some pointed out that the incident in the video occurred in September 2024, President Lee posted a follow-up message emphasizing that "international humanitarian law must be observed under any circumstances. Human dignity must also be upheld as a non-negotiable, paramount value."
The Presidential Office's additional explanation appears to address questions about whether the government's abstention on the UN Human Rights Council resolution contradicts President Lee's repeated emphasis on "universal human rights."
"The President's message emphasized the importance of universal human rights and international humanitarian law, and was not expressing a position on any specific resolution or individual policy," the Presidential Office official stressed. "The government will continue to cooperate with the international community to ensure that the human rights of all parties are protected and that conflicts are resolved peacefully," the official added.
