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| ▲ South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (L) and his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, shake hands during a ceremony at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Oct. 22, 2023, to sign a memorandum of understanding outlining the details of the "strategic partnership committee" that the two countries have decided to establish. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) |
FM-Israel-Hamas conflict
FM pledges S. Korea's role to help resolve Israel-Hamas conflict
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will do its part to help resolve tensions from the escalating war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, its top diplomat said Thursday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar earlier this week.
Foreign Minister Park Jin said the Israel-Hamas war was among the key agenda items discussed in depth during Yoon's separate summit talks with the Saudi and Qatari leaders, noting that it is reflective of the credibility the Middle Eastern nations have over South Korea.
"It was very meaningful that the government expressed a will to provide support for peace and stability in the Middle East, including humanitarian assistance, to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, which has a big influence in the region, and Qatar, which is engaged as a mediator," Park said during a news show on Yonhap News TV.
"South Korea will continue to fulfill its role and responsibility to resolve the dispute and conflict in the region," Park said.
Yoon returned Thursday from his five-day trip to the two Middle Eastern nations, where he had a series of summits and events aimed at expanding the playing field for South Korean businesses in the Middle East.
In the joint statement issued after the summit talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Seoul and Riyadh agreed to work with the international community to provide "prompt and immediate" humanitarian assistance to civilians.
"The government is very concerned about the growing political instability in the Middle East due to the armed conflict, and we're closely monitoring the situation, especially in light of the fact that it is closely linked to our economy and security," Park said.
About 450 South Korean nationals remain in Israel and are in constant communication with Seoul to check their safety, the foreign ministry said.
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