{"id":2202666,"date":"2023-11-07T13:07:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T04:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202666"},"modified":"2023-11-10T18:48:33","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T09:48:33","slug":"how-escalating-gaza-conflict-tests-south-koreas-middle-eastern-diplomacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/11\/how-escalating-gaza-conflict-tests-south-koreas-middle-eastern-diplomacy\/","title":{"rendered":"How escalating Gaza conflict tests South Korea\u2019s Middle Eastern diplomacy"},"content":{"rendered":"
As the Gaza conflict escalates between Israel and Hamas, South Korea finds itself navigating a diplomatic tightrope in the Middle East.<\/span><\/p>\n The balancing act came into sharp focus recently when South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol returned from a state visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Not just a diplomatic foray, he was accompanied by business leaders from Samsung, Hyundai, SK and other leading companies, sealing <\/span>$15.6 billion in commercial deals<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Seoul unveiled a <\/span>$2 million humanitarian aid package<\/span><\/a> aimed at aiding civilians caught in the crossfire of the Gaza conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s stance on the conflict is nuanced. Its immediate response to the Hamas-initiated hostilities was a firm condemnation of the \u201c<\/span>indiscriminate attacks on Israel from Gaza<\/span><\/a>.\u201d This position aligned with regional partners like <\/span>Australia<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Japan<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Singapore<\/span><\/a>. However, there\u2019s a notable divergence from the U.S. and other Western leaders: South Korea has stopped short of offering full public support for Israel.<\/span><\/p>\n In a telling parliamentary session on Oct. 10, South Korean foreign minister Park Jin underlined Seoul\u2019s delicate position. He voiced the nation\u2019s support for the <\/span>two-state solution<\/span><\/a> and its desire for peace through dialogue. This sentiment was echoed a week later when South Korea vocalized its concern for casualties on both sides and ardently backed the delivery of humanitarian aid and civilian protection under international humanitarian law.<\/span><\/p>\n But the waters get murkier. A day after meeting with Park, Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor took to social media stating that Park <\/span>conveyed<\/span><\/a> \u201ca strong message of support for Israel.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, Seoul painted a more reserved picture, <\/span>stating<\/span><\/a> only that it hoped for the situation to \u201cde-escalate as soon as possible and that no more lives will be lost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n