What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

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The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza

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Park Chan-kyongPublished: 3:32pm, 21 May 2026Updated: 3:39pm, 21 May 2026South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s declaration that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a “war criminal” underlines the balancing act between his human rights convictions and commitment to protecting Seoul’s interests in the Middle East, analysts have said.

Lee’s comments came as Seoul was pushing for the release of two South Korean nationals detained by Israeli forces while attempting to reach the Gaza Strip aboard humanitarian aid boats, drawing attention to his willingness to speak bluntly on a sensitive diplomatic issue.

Seoul’s presidential office said on Thursday that Israel had released the two South Korean nationals.Advertisement

“The government expresses strong regret over Israel’s detention of our nationals during its seizure of the vessels. However, it highly appreciates Israel’s prompt release of our nationals and welcomes their return,” the office said in a statement.

Presidential spokeswoman Kang Yu-jung announced their release at a press briefing, after the Lina Al Nabulsi aid boat, which was carrying South Korean activist Kim Ah-hyun and other activists, was intercepted on Monday by the Israeli military in international waters near the Gaza Strip.

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On Tuesday, Israeli forces seized another aid boat, the Kyriakos X, which was carrying South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon and others from around the world.

“The Israeli side immediately deported the two South Korean nationals without placing them in a detention centre,” Kang said.

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