Israel’s President Shimon Peres has been forced to issue a statement denying reports that Korea University had revoked an honorary degree, and said that the ceremony had been cancelled by Mr Peres himself.

President Peres, who has made a working visit to South Korea, denied the AFP report which said Korea University cancelled a speech by the president, where he was to be given an honorary degree.

The President said it was “unequivocally” false and that the President Peres had cancelled the visit eight days earlier to attend a conference for Korean and Israeli businessmen.

AFP have apologised and removed the story from their website.

Around 50 protesters calling President Peres a “killer” marched outside the Israeli embassy in Seoul as he met South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.

They did not discuss the flotilla, according to the South Korean presidential office.

President Peres has also cancelled a state visit to Vietnam.