Seoul: South Korea is contemplating the deployment of chartered planes and military aircraft to facilitate the return of its nationals stranded in the Middle East due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, a senior government official announced on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes dispatching additional pan-government rapid response teams to ensure the safe return of South Korean citizens.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina, during a press briefing after an interagency meeting on government responses to the Middle East situation, revealed that the government is actively reviewing various measures in coordination with relevant ministries. "The government is considering deploying chartered planes and military transport aircraft, as well as dispatching additional joint rapid response teams," Kim stated. She further emphasized the ongoing assessment of the situation concerning South Korean nationals in the United Arab Emirates and other affected countries.
As of Monday, approximately 17,000 South Korean nationals remain in about 10 Middle Eastern countries embroiled in the conflict, excluding short-term travelers. Kim highlighted the government's readiness to address the possibility of an extended and escalating situation, with the safety of its nationals as the foremost priority.
In a recent evacuation effort, around 140 South Koreans and their foreign family members were relocated from Iran, Israel, and Bahrain to neighboring countries on Tuesday. "We will make every effort and mobilize all available resources and assets of the foreign ministry to ensure that no South Korean nationals are harmed amid the situation in the Middle East," Kim assured.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who led the interagency meeting, called for the development of detailed action plans to effectively manage potential repercussions from the Middle East conflict. He emphasized the importance of monitoring the safety of South Korean citizens and closely observing stock and currency markets. Additionally, he instructed officials to address any challenges faced by South Korean companies in the region.
The foreign ministry also convened a meeting with embassy officials from the Middle East to discuss strategies for repatriating Koreans, particularly short-term travelers, from the region. Yoon Chu-sok, director general for overseas Koreans and consular affairs, urged efforts to ensure their safety, including establishing channels for swift departures amid commercial flight disruptions. Embassy officials from 14 countries, including Iran, Israel, Turkmenistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Dubai, participated in the meeting.