Ruling and opposition parties engaged in heated debate over President Lee Jae-myung's social media remarks regarding Israel. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea evaluated the president's statement as "diplomatic language with both justification and practical benefit," while the opposition People Power Party dismissed it as "an international disgrace."
At a pending issues hearing of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Thursday, Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Ki-won backed President Lee, saying, "The president must have given much thought to state affairs. He would not have posted without careful consideration," adding, "From the perspective of national interest, he must have issued this message after much deliberation."
Hong also addressed the Israeli Foreign Ministry's direct rebuttal of President Lee's remarks via social media, stating, "The Israeli Foreign Ministry cited our president's message as if he belittled the Holocaust, but this was a misreading."
However, Hong criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' response as "too passive," saying, "International protocol dictates that if the Israeli Foreign Ministry has complaints about a message from another country's head of state, it should raise concerns through diplomatic channels." He added, "When a foreign country criticizes a president who raised universal human rights issues in a form and content that deviates from international protocol, why is our Foreign Ministry responding so weakly?"
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun largely agreed with the ruling party lawmakers' perspective. "The Foreign Ministry clearly understood the intent and purpose of the president's social media post. It emphasized universal human rights, particularly the importance of international humanitarian law," Cho said.
The opposition strongly criticized the president's remarks. People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin said, "April 13 was Israel's official national Holocaust Remembrance Day. President Lee made a significant mistake just before the day when Israel heals its national wounds." She added, "I fully understand your position as a cabinet member to comfort and defend the president's embarrassing mistake, but this must not be repeated."
Bae sharpened her criticism, urging, "Advise the president that 'diplomacy is an extremely sensitive matter, so he should not post thoughtlessly on social media.' There is no need to suffer such a major embarrassment."
Minister Cho pushed back, saying, "I do not consider that an embarrassment." He raised his voice, adding, "Because I disagree with you, I will not accept your remarks." As Bae repeatedly interrupted Cho's responses, a heated exchange erupted between the minister and ruling party lawmakers in the chamber.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young also supported the ruling party's position, saying, "I believe the content, format, and timing of the president's social media post were all appropriate." Chung noted, "President Lee has posted multiple strong criticisms of Israel's crimes against humanity in 2012 and 2014." He added, "As a country that has achieved both democratic resilience and economic success, I believe it is time to exercise moral influence as an attractive nation in the international community. I see this as action that considers both principle and national interest."
