S. Korea voices hope Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will help restore Mideast stability

▲ This Reuters photo shows a person carrying a flag with an image depicting Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem while riding a scooter, in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 17, 2026, after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire. (Yonhap)

S Korea-Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

S. Korea voices hope Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will help restore Mideast stability

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday welcomed the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon, voicing hope that the move will help bring stability in the Middle East and advance peace talks between the United States and Iran.

The foreign ministry issued the statement after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had reached a 10-day ceasefire deal, starting 5 p.m. on Thursday (Washington time). Israel had been engaged in intense fighting with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group based in Lebanon.

"We fully welcome the ceasefire announcement and highly appreciate U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts in facilitating this agreement," Park Il, foreign ministry spokesperson, said in the commentary.

"We hope that this ceasefire will serve as an important opportunity, not only for progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations, but also for restoring peace and stability in the region, as well as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

"We call on all relevant parties to faithfully implement the ceasefire agreement and to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

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