South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed the Middle East conflict and efforts to repatriate South Korean nationals stranded in the UAE. Cho highlighted the need for special attention and support from the UAE government to ensure the safe return of around 3,000 Korean travelers facing flight disruptions.
Seoul is exploring various options, including chartering planes or military aircraft, to bring back its citizens from the conflict-affected region. Approximately 3,000 South Korean tourists are currently stranded in the UAE, with an estimated 21,000 Koreans spread across ten Middle Eastern countries.
Abdullah acknowledged the damage caused by Iranian attacks to civilian facilities in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. Cho expressed deep concern over civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, extending condolences and solidarity, while emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to the escalating conflict.
South Korea recently imposed a travel ban on Iran due to security concerns arising from the Middle East tensions. The ministry upgraded the travel alert to a ban, urging Korean nationals to leave Iran and warning of potential legal consequences for unauthorized visits. Travelers were advised to cancel trips to the region and those present were encouraged to evacuate promptly.
