 |
| ▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Sept. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) |
FM-Israel
FM Cho voices concern over Jewish settlements as 'undermining two-state solution' in call with top Israeli diplomat
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Wednesday expressed concern to Israel over its move to build Jewish settlements in the West Bank, saying it undermines the two-state solution long backed by the international community, his office said.
Cho made the remark during his first phone talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, urging concerned parties to make efforts to ease tensions in the region torn by the prolonged conflict that began in October 2023.
Cho "voiced deep concern over settlement construction and other measures undermining the two-state solution," the ministry said in a release.
"He expressed concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging efforts by the parties concerned to improve conditions on the ground, including through an early ceasefire," it said.
A two-state solution calls for Israel and Palestine to co-exist in peace, an approach long supported by many countries, including South Korea, and the Palestinian Authority.
Fresh tensions have flared up as Israel is seeking to build new Jewish settlements in the Israel-occupied West Bank, the larger part of the two Palestinian territories.
In the phone talks, Cho renewed South Korea's position condemning attacks on Israel by the Hamas militant group that triggered the war in late 2023 and called for immediate and unconditional release of hostages.
The two ministers also discussed bilateral relations, with both sides expressing hope to continue efforts to further deepen cooperation between the two countries, in areas such as advanced technologies.
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
