Possibility of Netanyahu's arrest on the agenda in that country
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reacted harshly to Israel's intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla, stating that if Prime Minister Netanyahu were to visit his country, his arrest should be considered.
12punto
President Lee Jae Myung, in his remarks during a Cabinet meeting, emphasized the illegality of the Israeli military's recent attacks in international waters. Pointing out that the intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza, lacked any legal justification, Lee described the detention of activists, including South Korean citizens, as a grave injustice.
Lee expressed his reaction by saying, "Is Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and its continued occupation of this region legitimate under international law? The detention of South Korean citizens without any legal justification is unacceptable." President Lee stated that this situation was "extremely cruel and inhumane."
Noting the arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by most European countries, Lee remarked that a similar process should be evaluated in South Korea as well.
In the recent incident, 177 activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was sailing near the island of Crete as part of the 2026 Spring Mission, were detained during an intervention by the Israeli military; this operation, which took place in international waters at a distance of 600 nautical miles, caused widespread outrage. The flotilla consisted of 428 activists from 44 different countries and a total of 50 boats, including 78 Turkish citizens.
On May 18, another Israeli attack occurred against activists in the flotilla heading to Gaza, and many people were arrested again. While these developments bring the challenges faced by humanitarian aid initiatives to the fore, the South Korean administration continues to voice its discomfort with these events in the international arena.
Previously, in August 2025, another flotilla carrying over 500 activists from more than 44 countries was similarly intervened by Israeli forces. Along with South Korea's reaction, Israel's harsh measures against the Gaza blockade and humanitarian aid initiatives continue to be debated in the international community.