Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced that the United Arab Emirates' commercial flights to South Korea are expected to commence as early as Friday. This development aims to facilitate the return of Korean citizens stranded in the UAE due to recent flight disruptions triggered by escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho shared these updates during a parliamentary session, emphasizing that approximately 3,000 nationals are currently stuck in the UAE. The minister revealed that he had a conversation with the UAE foreign minister, during which he requested permission for direct flights from the UAE to Incheon, South Korea's primary international airport located west of Seoul.

Cho further mentioned that air services could start as soon as today, indicating a swift resolution to the current predicament. Additionally, the South Korean government is planning to send a chartered plane to the region to assist with the evacuation process.

In total, around 21,000 South Korean nationals are estimated to be residing across 10 Middle Eastern countries, underscoring the urgency of establishing these flights.