President Yoon Suk Yeol has ordered the immediate deployment of military transport aircraft to evacuate South Koreans from regions impacted by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This decision comes in light of rising tensions following a missile attack on Israel attributed to Iran, which has escalated clashes involving Iranian-backed militias such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
In an emergency meeting with senior officials, President Yoon stressed the need to ensure the safety of Korean nationals in the region. The South Korean government is taking proactive measures to facilitate the safe return of its citizens amidst the ongoing unrest.
President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency meeting with senior government officials to discuss safety measures for South Koreans in the Middle East amid escalating tensions from recent Iranian missile attacks on Israel. He stated that protecting citizens in the region was the top priority and ordered the immediate deployment of military transport aircraft for their evacuation.
According to the Foreign Ministry, as of Wednesday, around 130 South Koreans were in Lebanon, 110 in Iran, and 480 in Israel. In light of the dangerous situation, Yoon instructed the government to establish a 24-hour monitoring system to assess risks and implement proactive measures to mitigate any potential impact on the national economy and energy supplies.
In response to the missile strikes, which reportedly damaged buildings in northern Tel Aviv and injured individuals, the South Korean government urged its citizens in Israel and Lebanon to leave immediately by any means available. Yoon dwelt on the need for close cooperation with the international community to restore regional stability.
Seoul’s decision to send military aircraft aligns with its previous actions to ensure the safety of nationals in conflict zones. In past instances, such as in October 2023 and April 2023, South Korea deployed military transport to evacuate citizens from Israel and war-torn Sudan, respectively. Specific details regarding the current evacuation operations, including timing and locations, were withheld for security reasons.
During the emergency meeting, President Yoon Suk Yeol spoke about the need for a comprehensive approach to managing the evolving crisis in the Middle East. He instructed relevant ministries to maintain round-the-clock monitoring and coordinate closely to assess risks and impacts on South Korea’s economy, including energy supplies and logistics. Given the heightened instability in the region, Yoon stressed that all possible scenarios should be considered.
The Middle East is a critical source of crude oil for South Korea, the world’s fourth-largest importer. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about potential disruptions in oil supplies, as Iran recently launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel following Israeli military operations in Lebanon. While the U.S. reported that the missile attack was largely ineffective, fears of an escalating conflict persist, heightening uncertainty for the global energy market.
According to 2023 government data, 572 South Koreans, including permanent residents, are in Israel, while 214 are in Lebanon. The South Korean government continues to urge its citizens in these regions to evacuate immediately. Top officials, including National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong, were present at the meeting to discuss coordinated responses to the crisis.
