The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today (September 27) that Lee Kyung-chul, Special Representative for Middle East Peace, attended the High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in New York on September 24 local time.

At the meeting, Special Representative Lee shared the view that the "two-state solution" is the only internationally agreed path capable of harmonizing Palestinian self-determination, Israeli security, and lasting regional peace, and reaffirmed the South Korean government's full and consistent support for the two-state solution.

He went on to emphasize the need to reverse and prevent the recurrence of actions that hinder or undermine the two-state solution, and expressed concern over recent settler violence and settlement construction in the West Bank.

The two-state solution centers on establishing separate Israeli and Palestinian states based on the borders prior to the 1967 Third Arab-Israeli War so that the two nations will no longer engage in conflict.

While this solution was first introduced in a 1947 UN resolution, it emerged in practical terms with the signing of the Oslo Accords on September 13, 1993.

Meanwhile, Special Representative Lee stated that South Korea will continue to contribute to supporting these goals based on the "SHINE Initiative," the government's Middle East vision announced last year.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)