Riyadh:Seoul The South Korean foreign ministry has advised its citizens residing in Saudi Arabia to leave the country amid ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The ministry has raised the travel warning for Saudi Arabia to the second-highest level of alert.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry issued a "Level 3" warning at 10 p.m. on Sunday, recommending that all South Koreans in Saudi Arabia depart unless their presence is essential for urgent business. Additionally, it advised those planning to travel to Saudi Arabia to cancel or postpone their trips.

The decision followed a meeting convened by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun with South Korean diplomatic missions across 15 Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, and Israel, to assess the security situation.

Recently, the Houthi rebels launched attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in the death of a dozen people and injuries to several hundred others. The rebels have also issued warnings to airlines and passengers against using Saudi Arabian airports and airspace.

Minister Cho has instructed South Korean diplomats in the Middle East to enhance their efforts to protect South Korean nationals and remain vigilant against potential contingencies.