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South Korea’s Lee criticises Israel detentions, says actions ‘way out of line’

By Thomson Reuters May 20, 2026 | 1:09 AM

SEOUL, May 20 (Reuters) – South Korean President Lee Jae ​Myung on Wednesday ‌said Israel had arrested South Korean nationals in international waters, ‌calling ​the action “way ⁠out of ⁠line”.

In a cabinet meeting, Lee said the South Korean citizens ​had been detained for reasons ⁠not valid ⁠under international law, ​questioning whether such ​actions could be allowed ‌to pass without protest.

Lee said he believed many European ⁠countries were willing to arrest Israeli Prime Minister ⁠Benjamin ‌Netanyahu under ⁠International Criminal Court ​warrants ‌but that Seoul ​must ⁠make its own judgment on the matter.

(Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Tom ​Hogue)