‘Respect must be earned’: South Korea destroys Israel for throwing a hissy fit after they were called out over a war crime

An intense, and to me, hilarious diplomatic standoff has erupted between South Korea and Israel after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shared footage on X that showed Israeli soldiers pushing a body off a building in the occupied West Bank. This public disagreement, which unfolded over the weekend, marks a significant departure from the typically stable diplomatic relations the two nations have maintained for the past 60 years.

The controversy began on Friday when Lee posted the video, saying, ”I need to look into whether this is true, and if so, what measures have been taken. The forced comfort women issue that we are raising is no different from the Jewish massacre or wartime killings.” The video, filmed by residents of Qabatya, showed Israeli soldiers throwing lifeless bodies from a rooftop.

It is a stark, but apt comparison between the actions shown in the video and other historical atrocities, including the Holocaust and the sexual slavery of women during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea between 1910 and 1945. This specific reference to the Holocaust, however, triggered a sharp reaction from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Also, by this time, Lee had already acknowledged that the video was an old one

The Israeli Foreign Ministry labeled Lee’s remarks as unacceptable. The ministry accused the President of trivializing the massacre of Jews.

They specifically noted the timing of his comments, which came three days before Holocaust Remembrance Day. Furthermore, the Israeli government complained that Lee highlighted a story from 2024 using what they described as a fake account that presented the footage as a current event. 

The ministry’s statement insisted that the incident involving the soldiers had been thoroughly investigated and addressed. Although they didn’t provide specifics regarding the outcome of that investigation. 

The ministry concluded its message with a blunt piece of advice. They told Lee that it is always better to check facts before posting.

Despite the backlash, President Lee didn’t back down. He had already done his due diligence and clarified the details of the video in a follow-up post. At that time, the Israel Defense Forces stated that the incident did not align with their values and was under review.

Lee took the moment to bring up an important point: “Under no circumstances should international humanitarian law be violated, and human dignity must be upheld as an uncompromising, top-priority value.”

The tension continued to simmer on Saturday as President Lee shared a news story regarding the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s response to his post. In his commentary, he expressed disappointment that there was no reflection on the global criticism regarding actions that violate human rights and international law. 

As the situation escalated, the South Korean Foreign Ministry attempted to de-escalate the friction a few hours later. They expressed regret that the Israeli government had misunderstood the intent behind the President’s remarks. 

The ministry clarified that Lee’s comments were intended as an expression of his convictions rather than a targeted opinion on any specific issue. They also reiterated their profound condolences for the victims of the Holocaust.

However, the attempt at reconciliation appeared short-lived. Lee returned to reinforce his message, stating that the sovereignty of each country and universal human rights must be respected. He added a final, pointed remark: “Respect must be earned through respect.” 

His comments are powerful and pointed, especially when you consider the recent actions by Israel. As they strike Lebanon, ostensibly to take down Hezbollah, they have been destroying entire villages. Additionally, in response to criticism for their many war crimes, they removed Spain from the coordination center meant to protect Gaza.

This public clash occurs against a backdrop of widespread international concern regarding Israel’s conduct in its various ongoing conflicts. According to reports by Amnesty International, Israel has been accused of committing the crime of genocide in Gaza, including the deliberate infliction of conditions calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians. 

The report notes that Israel has committed the crime of apartheid- the forcible transfer and displacement of Palestinians in both Israel and the occupied territories. It also highlights that state-backed settler violence has occurred with impunity, and thousands of Palestinians have been subjected to arbitrary detention and ill-treatment that in many cases amounts to torture. 

Considering their colonial history, it is interesting that South Korea hasn’t taken a stand before. Then again, Israel seems to have forgotten theirs. They also need a new lesson about comfort women if they thought that was trivializing.