South Korea's Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun, announced on June 6 that commercial flights between Dubai and Incheon would resume starting June 6, with operations once daily to assist South Korean nationals stranded in the Middle East due to rising tensions from the U.S.-Iran conflict. In a parliamentary meeting addressing the Iranian situation, Minister Cho noted that the UAE has agreed to accept charter flights from Korean Air, facilitating the safe return of South Korean citizens affected by the conflict. This step is crucial as approximately 3,000 South Korean nationals are currently in the UAE amidst the escalating situation.

Minister Cho explained that discussions were held with the Emirati Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to ensure that the commercial flights would operate directly to Incheon. Initially, there were plans to send a charter flight to Muscat in Oman, but this was revised in favor of direct flights to the UAE, thanks to the cooperation of the Emirati authorities. The decision also allows for rapid response teams to deploy from Oman to the UAE, further streamlining the evacuation process for South Koreans.

This development underscores the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis, especially with the substantial number of South Korean citizens affected by the geopolitical turbulence in the region. The successful negotiation for flight operations not only highlights South Korea’s diplomatic relations with the UAE but also serves as a reassurance to citizens caught in potentially dangerous situations abroad.