Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Thursday reaffirmed South Korea’s continued support for a “two-state solution” to the Israel-Palestine conflict in his first phone talks with his Palestinian counterpart, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho spoke by phone with Palestine’s Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, expressing “deep concern” over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the escalating conflict. The ministry highlighted that Cho called for an immediate ceasefire and a swift improvement in humanitarian conditions. He reiterated Seoul’s consistent support for a two-state solution and conveyed concern over actions that undermine it, such as Israel’s settlement construction.
A two-state solution envisions Israel and Palestine co-existing in peace, establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel without compromising Israel’s sovereignty. This approach has long garnered support from the international community.
Cho emphasized that South Korea h
as been providing humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza and committed to continuing its participation in international efforts to resolve the crisis.
The phone talks occurred amid ongoing tensions in the region, which has been plagued by prolonged conflict since October 2023. In a previous conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar earlier this month, Cho expressed concern regarding Israel’s settlement activities in the Israel-occupied West Bank, a significant part of the two Palestinian territories.