South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and ordered a review of whether South Korea could issue a domestic arrest warrant.
The presidential statement marked an unusually direct condemnation from a U.S. ally in East Asia.
Lee instructed government lawyers to assess legal pathways for domestic action against Netanyahu under South Korean law.
South Korea is not an International Criminal Court member, complicating any effort to enforce ICC warrants locally.
The remarks reflect growing domestic pressure on Lee to take a stronger stance on the Gaza conflict.
Israeli officials have not issued a formal response to Lee’s characterization and legal directive.
Parliamentary debates in Seoul are expected to examine both the diplomatic and legal consequences of the president’s order.
Analysts said the move could affect trade and security dialogues between Seoul and Tel Aviv if tensions persist.
President Lee Jae Myung labeled Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and ordered a review of possible domestic arrest steps.
South Korea’s non-membership in the ICC complicates any effort to act on international warrant frameworks at home.
Lee ordered lawyers to study whether South Korea could issue a domestic warrant.
Seoul’s statement adds diplomatic pressure on Israel from an East Asian U.S. ally.
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Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court_arrest_warrants_for_Israeli_leaders