Baghdad: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has issued a critical advisory urging its citizens residing or traveling in the Middle East to leave the region immediately due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, this directive follows a strategic meeting involving representatives from 17 diplomatic missions, including South Korean embassies in Iran and Israel, which aimed to reassess safety protocols for South Korean nationals and vessels in the volatile region. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na emphasized that most Middle Eastern countries are currently under Level 3 travel warnings, recommending that travelers exit the region unless absolutely necessary. Since March, short-term visitors have been advised to depart immediately unless they have compelling reasons to stay.

Further measures were discussed to safeguard South Korean vessels, particularly in the Red Sea, amidst ongoing military tensions involving the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The ministry assured that diplomatic missions in the Middle East will maintain vigilant monitoring and implement proactive measures to ensure the safety of South Korean citizens.