South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to Level 3, recommending citizens to leave the country. This decision comes amid increasing concerns for the safety of South Koreans in the region due to clashes between Saudi forces and Houthi rebels, which have resulted in damage to civilian infrastructure, including airports.
On October 11, Minister Park Jin chaired a joint situation assessment meeting with representatives from 15 South Korean embassies in the Middle East. The ministry announced that the Level 3 travel advisory would take effect at 10 PM the same day.
With the implementation of the Level 3 advisory, South Koreans currently in Saudi Arabia are advised to depart unless they have urgent business, while those planning to travel are encouraged to cancel or postpone their trips.
This action follows a recent escalation in hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels, which has led to attacks on civilian facilities and casualties.
Attendees at the meeting included officials from South Korean embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. They shared insights on the current situation in the Middle East and reviewed safety measures for South Koreans residing in the region.
Minister Park emphasized the growing instability in the Middle East, citing attacks on civilian facilities, including airports, and the resulting casualties. He urged embassies to respond swiftly to the situation.
He also requested that embassies closely monitor developments in the Middle East, including regional relations and energy supply trends, to prepare for any potential situations affecting South Korean citizens abroad.
South Korean embassies in the region will continue to communicate with citizens residing there, ensuring their safety and providing timely safety notifications.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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