South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has ordered urgent measures to ensure the safety of citizens and nationals in the Middle East amid rising military tensions due to the US-Israel attacks on Iran.
On October 1, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok issued an urgent directive emphasizing the importance of protecting citizens and nationals abroad in light of the escalating military tensions in the Middle East following the recent US-Israel attacks on Iran. Acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, his office stated that Kim aimed to secure national security and economic stability through this directive. He instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continuously monitor the safety and situation of South Koreans residing in the Middle East and adjacent countries, and to enhance communication with the public in response to any changes in crisis situations.
In addition to safety measures, Prime Minister Kim stressed the need for a 24-hour operational crisis response system across diplomatic and security sectors. He called for a coordinated analysis of all relevant information and situational evaluations to identify and share risks related to security and military threats. Furthermore, he highlighted the urgency of preparing comprehensive countermeasures for potential economic impacts, including increased international oil prices and volatility in foreign exchange and financial markets. Relevant ministries would be required to monitor the oil prices, exchange rates, and stock markets closely, while also implementing proactive measures to stabilize the markets.
Lastly, the Prime Minister underscored the need to ensure stability in energy supplies and the supply chain by having the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries assess the current status of energy supplies such as crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). His instructions included minimizing the impact on domestic industries and households, while also emphasizing the importance of providing accurate information to the public to alleviate any unnecessary anxiety caused by the situation. An emergency meeting of related ministers will be held later that evening to assess the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
