The President’s Office announced on the 19th that President Yoon Seok-yeol’s state visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be used as an opportunity to discuss the security situation, including the Israel-Hamas war.
Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, said in a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office this afternoon, “As the Israel-Hamas conflict, which is currently on thin ice, is an issue directly related to common peace and regional peace, the security situation will be discussed at the summit with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “It is expected that this will also happen,” he said.
Deputy Director Kim said, “In relation to this, our government is deeply concerned about the rapid increase in civilian casualties,” and added, “If necessary, we will provide active support for refugee issues in the Palestinian region or surrounding areas on a purely humanitarian basis.” “He explained.
In addition, Deputy Director Kim said, “Saudi Arabia is a key actor in the Middle East security order and has been involved in conflicts within and outside the region, including the civil war in Yemen and the war in Ukraine, through negotiation, mediation, and humanitarian assistance.” He added, “Qatar cooperates with countries with various interests.” “We are building a multifaceted network, and through this, we have been acting as a mediator in the region,” he added.
At the same time, Deputy Minister Kim said, “Through this trip, we will strengthen practical cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Qatar while discussing cooperation measures to promote peace in the Middle East and strengthen our security.” “This trip is also meaningful in that it actively contributes to .”
When asked whether there were any difficulties in confirming this trip due to the Israel-Hamas war, the President’s Office responded, “There were no difficulties in confirming the trip.”
An official from the Presidential Office said, “The two countries exchanged opinions on the Israel-Hamas conflict as they invited and hosted our president, and the other side first expressed its strong position that it would like us to come as planned without changing or canceling the schedule.” “I expressed it,” he explained.
Saudi Arabia also publicly supported Palestine after the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In response to this, an official from the Presidential Office drew the line at saying that Saudi Arabia did not support Hamas, saying, “Saudi Arabia cannot be seen as officially supporting a political faction that carries out a preemptive strike.”
Our military believes that North Korea is directly or indirectly linked to Hamas in various fields, including arms trading, tactical doctrine, and training. It is predicted that President Yoon and the leaders of the two countries will discuss this issue during this trip.
An official from the Presidential Office said, “Just because the various surprise strategies and tactics North Korea has used so far in the Israel-Hamas conflict appear in similar forms, it cannot be said that they have directly learned and taught each other. “I think we will study hard on ‘How will we use this?’ and ‘What can we learn?’” he said. “In that respect, the government is also working hard to analyze even harder and prepare for preparedness.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is competing with Korea to host the 2030 World Expo (Expo).
An official from the Presidential Office said, “Both countries are demonstrating their respective characteristics and appealing for support in the international war, but not a single word has been exchanged between the Saudi government and our government on the Expo issue.”
This official continued, “We have an attitude of competing in good faith and accepting the results cleanly based on friendship toward each other,” and added, “I don’t think this issue will be discussed at the summit.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.