By Lee Kap-soo

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chang Ho-jin met with Mr. Waleed Siam, Non-resident Representative of the General Mission of Palestine to Korea and members of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Korea at the request of the Arab Diplomatic Corps on Nov. 24. They exchanged views on the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The participants were Ambassador of Morocco (Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Korea) and Ambassadors of ten Arab countries (the UAE, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan and Tunisia), two Chargé d'affaires (Libya and Iraq) and one Counsellor (Egypt).

Representative Siam and the Arab Diplomatic Corps emphasized the severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and called on the international community, including Korea, to work for a lasting ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian aid, stopping the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, and resuming peace negotiations for the fundamental solution of the Israel-Palestine issue.

Vice Minister Chang expressed grave concern on the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip amid the continued increase in civilian casualties, and explained that Korea has consistently iterated the need for all relevant parties to protect civilians in compliance with international humanitarian law.

Vice Minister Chang welcomed the agreement on November 22 between Israel and Hamas on the release of hostages and on a pause in hostilities -- the agreement facilitated by mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. under difficult circumstances. He hoped that the agreement would help prevent further loss of life and to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Vice Minister Chang stressed that Korea has attached great importance to cooperation with the Middle East as seen in President Yoon's recent visit to the region. He added that Korea appreciates various diplomatic efforts by Arab countries to de-escalate the current situation. 

In particular, Vice Minister Chang said that Korea, which will serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from next year, will continue to actively participate in the international community's efforts to bring stability to the region and a fundamental solution to the Israel-Palestine issue.

This meeting provided an opportunity to hear about the situation in Gaza and the position on this issue from the Arab community, and to express Korea's willingness to contribute to stabilizing the situation. The two sides agreed to continue close communication on the current situation.