As military tensions rise in the Middle East due to U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran, the South Korean government is intensively working to ensure the safety of its nationals residing or visiting the region. During an emergency meeting on the situation in the Middle East held at the government headquarters, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok discussed the growing concerns regarding the financial market fluctuations and rising oil prices. He urged various government departments to prepare preemptive measures for all possible scenarios regarding the safety of citizens in the region and stabilizing the economy.

Currently, the government has identified that approximately 17,000 South Koreans are staying in over 10 Middle Eastern countries, with no reported injuries among them so far. The Ministry of Defense has also confirmed that no harm has come to soldiers from South Korea’s overseas deployment units in regions like Lebanon. In response to the ongoing situation, the government has issued special travel advisories for countries such as Bahrain, UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as Saudi Arabia and Oman, emphasizing the need for caution among travelers in the region.

In parallel, domestic companies are also prioritizing the safety of their employees. Reports indicate that all six employees from four South Korean firms in Iran have either returned home or relocated to Dubai, alongside 28 employees from companies in Israel who have moved to nearby countries. The South Korean government is also coordinating evacuation plans for those staying in the region, ensuring that real-time flight information is accessible for short-term tourists and airport transit passengers through embassy contacts.