▲ Lee Kyung-chul (C), South Korea's special representative for Middle East peace and special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, speaks during an open debate session on the Middle East at the U.N. headquarters in New York on June 10, 2026, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Mideast envoy-UNSC debate

S. Korean special envoy calls for peaceful solutions to Middle East conflicts at U.N.

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's special envoy for Middle East peace attended a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting this week and called for greater efforts to advance peaceful solutions to conflicts in the Middle East, according to the foreign ministry Friday.

Lee Kyung-chul, the government's special representative for Middle East peace and special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, made the remarks during an open debate session, titled "advancing political solutions in the Middle East," held at the UNSC on Wednesday.

The special envoy said the situation in the Middle East, which continues to affect not only the region but also the broader international community, underscores the importance of the principle of peaceful conflict resolution.

He stressed the need to prioritize the protection of civilians and uphold international law in order to prevent the further escalation of tensions, while also highlighting Seoul's Middle East initiative, named "SHINE," unveiled in November.

Lee also held separate talks with officials from China, Pakistan, Britain, France, Russia and Nepal, as well as senior U.N. officials, including Rosemary DiCarlo, under secretary general of the U.N. Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, to exchange views on developments in the Middle East, Afghanistan and other major international issues.

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