The People Power Party stated, "The claim that Israeli forces tortured and murdered children, posted by President Lee Jae-myung on social media on the 10th, has been confirmed as a 2-year-old piece of information. The principle of zero tolerance for fake news must be strictly enforced, and President Lee Jae-myung's social media should be the starting point for this."

Park Sung-hoon, the People Power Party's chief spokesperson, recalled in a statement on the 11th that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had immediately and vehemently protested President Lee's remarks as "unacceptable." He criticized, "This clearly shows how disastrously one click of the President's finger has shattered South Korea's national dignity and credibility. Yet, on the 11th, President Lee further criticized Israel via social media, saying, 'If I hurt, others hurt,' attempting to cover up his diplomatic blunders with emotional appeals."

Park continued, "After defaming a country with fake news, he dismissed their protest as 'disappointment' and lectured them instead." He pointed out, "President Lee, who publicly shared a message criticizing a specific country based on unverified video footage, needs to offer a clear acknowledgment and a responsible apology."

He further emphasized the weight of the President's statements with the following words:

"A president's remarks are not personal opinions but equivalent to the nation's official stance. If that message is based on false information, its repercussions go beyond a personal misstep and become a grave infringement on national interests that destroys trust between nations. The 'if it's wrong, it's wrong' cowardly behavior of throwing out unverified information and then quietly backing away and shifting blame when problems arise is the shameful reality of state affairs."

He also reminded that "Just a few days ago, President Lee stated regarding the Middle East conflict, 'Intentionally spreading fake news that causes confusion in state affairs is no different from treason.'" He emphasized that the government also declared a principle of zero tolerance for fake news.

Furthermore, he criticized, "Then that standard must apply equally to everyone. It cannot be an exception just because one is the highest national leader. If one applies strict standards to the public while showing leniency towards power, it is not governance but hypocrisy." He reiterated that "strict enforcement of the zero-tolerance principle for fake news must begin with President Lee Jae-myung's social media."

On the same day, Choi Su-jin, the People Power Party's floor leader, also commented, "President Lee remains silent about the horrific reality of North Korean human rights and has failed to properly demand an apology for the sinking of the Cheonan. Amidst this, his use of the expression 'no different from the Holocaust' towards Israel is not mere criticism but a dangerously reckless move that can lead to severe diplomatic repercussions."

He added, "A nation's diplomatic judgments should be made through official diplomatic channels, not personal social media. Receiving official reports on the veracity of information through relevant ministries is the normal procedure for state administration."

Floor Leader Choi criticized sternly, "It seems he has become fond of directing all state affairs and controlling the media through social media lately, but diplomacy is not a game. This casual action, initiated from the fingertips of the President, can damage South Korea's national dignity and diplomatic trust."

The following is the X post in question.

The following is the 'Statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regarding the above post.

"The remarks by the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, especially those that appear to trivialize the Holocaust on the eve of Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, are unacceptable and deserve strong condemnation.

President Lee Jae-myung has distorted and cited events that occurred in 2024 as if they were recent occurrences for reasons unknown. The post came from a fake account notorious for spreading anti-Israel disinformation and lies.

The incident in question occurred during an operation to eliminate terrorists, and Israeli soldiers were facing a direct and immediate threat to their lives at the time.

This incident was thoroughly investigated and action was taken two years ago. Nevertheless, the President made no mention of the terrorists at the center of this incident. He has also remained silent on the recent terrorist attacks by Iran and Hezbollah against Israeli citizens. It would be best for the President to verify facts before posting."

The situation did not end there. After the statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the following post was made on Lee Jae-myung's X account.

In response, netizens pointed out, "He said nothing when the Iranian dictatorship tortured and massacred its citizens, killing over 40,000. He turns a blind eye when the Iranian dictator turns his country into a sea of blood for tens of thousands of his citizens, yet he lectures Israel on human rights."

By Reporter Im Yo-hee