As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reach new heights following military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, the South Korean government has issued a consumer damage alert concerning travel, airline, and accommodation services. The Korea Consumer Agency and the Fair Trade Commission announced on the 5th that the warning was initiated due to the deteriorating situation caused by recent military conflicts in the region. This precaution is aimed at raising awareness among consumers likely to face disputes over trip cancellations due to heightened tensions.

According to current consumer dispute resolution guidelines, refunds for travel packages are only possible if the travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is at a level of '3' (recommendation to leave the country) or higher. Currently, areas such as northern Israel near the Lebanon border and the Gaza Strip are rated at '4' (travel ban), while regions near the Iran-Saudi Arabia border have a rating of '3'. On the other hand, many areas in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait are below the third level, meaning that cancellations due to mere concerns might result in penalties for consumers.

In light of the cancellation risks, the consumer agency advises individuals to carefully review the terms and conditions of their bookings before attempting to cancel. Particularly for those who booked separate flight and accommodation arrangements, cancellation fees might apply, unlike package deals where different conditions may apply. The agency also pointed out that Korean Air's direct flights from Incheon to Dubai will be suspended until the 8th, allowing for a full refund of those tickets without fees. They recommend consumers keep track of announcements from airlines and to consider postponing new bookings, ideally using official domestic channels and securing options like installment payment rights or free cancellation products to mitigate potential losses.