What happened during the Israeli Embassy’s Oct. 7 memorial ceremony in Seoul?

The program included a short film, opening remarks, candle-lighting, a moment of silence, Jewish memorial prayers, and video testimonies from victims and survivors. Yun Young-ki participated in the candle-lighting ceremony.

What message did Ambassador-designate Sagi Karni deliver at the Seoul memorial ceremony?

Sagi Karni said the attack killed and injured people and led to others being abducted into Gaza. He said victims are honored through remembrance and survivors through support, while describing those affected as entirely shattered worlds.

Israel embassy marks Oct. 7 Hamas attack with memorial ceremony in Seoul

Q: Who attended the Israeli Embassy’s memorial ceremony in Seoul for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack?

The ceremony brought together members of the diplomatic corps, Korean dignitaries, members of the Jewish and Israeli communities in Korea, and other guests. Yun Young-ki and Hwang Woo-yea also took part in the program.

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Summary

The Israeli Embassy in Korea held a commemorative ceremony Wednesday in Seoul to honor victims of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Diplomats, Korean dignitaries, and Jewish and Israeli community members attended the ceremony, which included memorial prayers, a candle-lighting, a moment of silence, and survivor testimonies. Ambassador-designate Sagi Karni expressed solidarity with survivors and bereaved families.

Key Facts

Yun Young-ki, deputy director-general for African and Middle Eastern affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the candle-lighting ceremony.
Hwang Woo-yea, chairman of the Korea-Israel Friendship Association, delivered commemorative remarks.
The ceremony opened with a short film and also featured video testimonies from victims and survivors.
Sagi Karni said people were killed, injured, or abducted into Gaza during the attack.

By Park Ung

Published Oct 8, 2026 5:11 pm KST

Karni Sagi, Israeli ambassador-designate to Korea, delivers closing remarks during a memorial ceremony at the ambassador’s residence in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Israeli Embassy in Korea

The Israeli Embassy in Korea held a commemorative ceremony on Wednesday in Seoul to honor the victims of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and to express solidarity and condolences to the survivors and bereaved families.

The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Korean dignitaries, members of the Jewish and Israeli communities in Korea, and guests. It opened with a short film, followed by opening remarks, a candle-lighting ceremony, a moment of silence and Jewish memorial prayers. Video testimonies from victims and survivors were also shown.

Yun Young-ki, deputy director-general for African and Middle Eastern affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took part in the candle-lighting ceremony. Hwang Woo-yea, chairman of the Korea-Israel Friendship Association, delivered commemorative remarks.

“I knew in my heart that this is the most symbolic and meaningful starting point for me and my team,” said Ambassador-designate Sagi Karni in his closing remarks.

Karni said many people were killed or injured, while others were abducted into Gaza in the attack, adding that those affected were "entirely shattered worlds."

"We honor our victims by remembering them. We honor our survivors by supporting them," Karni added.

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