Waleed Ali Siam [ar;ko] is the non-resident ambassador of the State of Palestine to South Korea.[2][3] While the government of the Republic of Korea does not recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, it voted in favour of a failed UNSC resolution that would have admitted Palestine as a UN member state, despite the objections of its ally, the United States.[4]
South Korea has a representative office inRamallah.[5] A survey found that 82 percent of South Koreans believe their country should not take a side in the Israel-Palestine conflict.[6]
South Korea expressed concerns during the2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.[7] South Korea condemned Hamas for theGaza war but did not fully support Israel preferring a more balanced stance.[8][9] Hundreds protested against Israel's bombing in Gaza and tried to march to theIsraeli embassy but were thwarted by the police.[10][11]
South Korea issued a joint statement with Saudi Arabia calling for a peaceful solution to the conflict.[12][13]
National Intelligence Service reported North Korea was providing support to Hamas.[14]Akiva Tor, Israeli Ambassador to South Korea, reported North Korean weapons in Palestine,[14] which was denied by Waleed Siam.[2] Siam also called for a ceasefire.[15]Ziad Hab al-Reeh [ar], the Minister of Interior of the Palestinian National Authority, met with the head of the South Korean mission to Palestine, Geon Gyu-seok.[16]
