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South Korea urged short-term visitors to leave the Middle East promptly unless they have compelling reasons to stay, as escalating hostilities between the U.S. and Iran raise security concerns across the region.
The warning was issued by South Korea’s Foreign Ministry after officials held a meeting Sunday with representatives from 17 diplomatic missions, including the country’s embassies in Iran and Israel, to review safety measures for South Korean citizens and vessels, Yonhap News reported.
“Given that most Middle Eastern countries have been under a Level 3 Travel Advisory, which recommends that travelers leave unless necessary, since March, short-term visitors are advised to depart promptly unless they have compelling reasons to remain,” Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina said.
The Level 3 advisory recommends that travelers leave the countries concerned unless their presence is necessary.
South Korean officials reviewed measures to protect nationals across the region as well as Korean vessels operating in nearby waters.
Kim called for heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of South Korean ships operating in the Red Sea amid recent military tensions involving Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
The meeting brought together officials from 17 South Korean diplomatic missions as Seoul assessed the risks facing citizens, short-term visitors and maritime operations in the region.
The Foreign Ministry’s warning urged short-term visitors in Middle Eastern countries to arrange their departure promptly unless they had a compelling reason to remain.
India separately advised its citizens to postpone all travel to Iran until the security situation improves.
In a new advisory, the Indian Embassy in Iran asked Indian citizens to “consider temporarily exiting Iran, using available flight options.”
The Indian Embassy in Jordan also urged its nationals to exercise caution and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
The warnings came as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continued despite a memorandum of understanding signed last month through Pakistani mediation.
The agreement was intended to end their conflict and establish a lasting peace, but tensions escalated again last week over the Strait of Hormuz, with the two countries exchanging attacks.
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