On the evening of the 15th, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took to social media to thank the Korean military for helping return three Japanese individuals along with a group of Koreans on a transport aircraft from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Takaichi acknowledged the long journey endured by the overseas citizens, specifically thanking officials from the Korean government and military for their efforts in the operation. The operation dubbed 'Desert Light' involved transporting 204 Korean nationals back to Seoul safely, demonstrating a cooperative effort in regional evacuations.

The Korean Air Force deployed its multi-role air refueling transport aircraft, the KC-330 Signus, to Riyadh in response to the evacuation needs related to the hazardous situation in nearby countries, including Iran. After departing Riyadh at 4:13 am and making a refueling stop in Bangkok, the aircraft successfully returned to South Korea in approximately 14 hours, having been granted permission to traverse the airspace of 11 nations along its route. Defense Minister An Gyu-baek praised the mission's success, highlighting the importance of the operation in ensuring the safety and return of citizens from four Middle Eastern countries surrounding Saudi Arabia.

The operation also gathered attention for including foreign nationals among those evacuated, showcasing a humanitarian aspect of the mission. One Japanese evacuee shared their relief at returning home, expressing gratitude for the comfort and support provided during the flight, including meals and other conveniences. Takaichi also reminded that prior to this operation, Japan successfully organized a repatriation flight that included Koreans, illustrating ongoing cooperation between the two nations in times of crisis.