President Lee Orders Review of Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu: "Israel Violating All International Norms"

President Lee Jae-myung Presides Over Cabinet Meeting on May 20
Israel Detains Korean National Headed for Gaza Strip
"Israel Has Gone Far Beyond Acceptable Limits"

President Lee Jae-myung strongly condemned the Israeli government for detaining a South Korean citizen en route to the Gaza Strip, stating that Israel is "violating even the most basic international norms." He also instructed that the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be reviewed.

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on the afternoon of May 20, President Lee said, "Is it not wrong for the Israeli government to detain our citizen for reasons that are not justifiable under international law?" He emphasized, "In my view, this is excessive. It is inhumane." He continued, "Respond according to principle. We have exercised considerable patience. This has gone far beyond acceptable limits."

President Lee Jae-myung is reviewing documents at the Cabinet Meeting and Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House on May 20, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the website and social media accounts of the Gaza aid flotilla, the 'Kyriakos X'—a relief vessel carrying South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyun—was seized by Israeli authorities in the afternoon of May 18.

President Lee took issue with the fact that the detention of the South Korean citizen occurred outside Israeli territorial waters. When Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah reported that "Israel is claiming jurisdiction to control the (Gaza) area," President Lee questioned, "Are they saying they have the right to arrest someone for trespassing there?" He added, "Is this ignorance or an uncomfortable position? Be straightforward and state the facts as they are," reprimanding the officials.

At this, National Security Director Wi Sung-lac explained, "Israel is conducting military operations in the Gaza area and exercising military control. While it is not Israeli territorial waters, Israel is exercising military control over the entire Gaza region." In response, President Lee asked, "Is this not an illegal intrusion? Is it not an act of aggression?" Director Wi replied, "That point needs further examination."

President Lee further pressed, "So, does this mean that because Israel has invaded another country and is engaged in military action, it can arbitrarily detain vessels of third countries? Should we not protest? Is it justifiable to detain and imprison a vessel from a third country that entered to provide volunteer aid?" he criticized.

President Lee also instructed that the Korean government review the issuance of an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is already the subject of an arrest warrant for war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC). He noted, "Most European countries have announced that they will issue arrest warrants and detain Netanyahu," and suggested, "Let us also consider our position."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.