South Korean NGOs bring war crimes charges against Israeli coalition leaders, including Netanyahu

Charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity were filed in South Korea against seven senior Israeli officials, the American news agency United Press International (UPI) reported on Monday.

The officials classified include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The charges were brought forth by the South Korean NGO People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), the Asian Dignity Initiatives, and more than 5,000 individuals, including South Korean lawmakers, UPI noted.

PSPD alleged that the Israeli dignitaries that it named were involved in planning and executing crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes.

It elaborated on the crimes listed, stating that these incorporated the prevention of humanitarian aid and activities, attacks on medical institutions, the use of illegal chemical weapons, and weaponizing starvation as a tactic of war.

According to UPI, a representative from the Asian Dignity Initiatives, when discussing the charges, announced, “The indictment signifies that some 5,000 co-accusers have acknowledged that a genocide occurred in Gaza. They are not only mourning but also insisting that the perpetrators be harshly punished according to South Korean law.”

NGO calls for extradition and prosecution of Israeli officials 

PSPD called for the extradition of the seven named officials to South Korea for investigation and prosecution under Korean law.

Ynet also reported that Israel’s Foreign Ministry allegedly told Ben-Gvir, along with other officials, to consult with the ministry before planning any journeys to South Korea to avoid extradition.

Other ministries are also involved in the case, including the Justice Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Office, Ynet reported.