South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will chair an urgent Cabinet session this week to address the escalating situation in the Middle East following his return from Southeast Asia, Cheong Wa Dae announced. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, will involve key officials from finance and foreign ministries, responding to the aftermath of joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that have incited military reactions in the region, raising fears of broader conflict.
During the meeting, Lee will receive updates on the Iran crisis, its implications, and proposed response strategies. Lee is set to arrive back home late Wednesday after official visits to Singapore and the Philippines, as reported by Yonhap news agency. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok had previously instructed ministries to stay on high alert, including preparing evacuation plans, emphasizing the safety of South Koreans in the Middle East as a top governmental priority.
Kim led a regular Cabinet meeting earlier this week amidst the Middle East turmoil triggered by the US-Israel attack on Iran, which has quickly spread to neighboring nations, with retaliations from Iran and Israel intensifying. Stressing the protection of overseas citizens, Kim, standing in for Lee Jae Myung during his diplomatic trips, urged thorough readiness for various responses and evacuations for South Koreans in affected regions. The Foreign Ministry estimates around 4,000 short-term visitors and 17,000 long-term residents, including expatriates, are currently in 13 Middle Eastern countries, with approximately 2,000 individuals stranded in Dubai, possibly including travelers in transit to Europe or Africa.
