The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that citizens remaining in Lebanon and Israel leave as soon as possible

(Edaily Market reporter Kim Sung-soo) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that Korean nationals stranded in Lebanon, Israel and other places use existing flights to leave the country as soon as possible.

The move was taken in response to growing concerns about an escalation of the war in the Middle East following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of the Palestinian militant faction Hamas.

A street in the Tufa district east of Gaza City, Palestine, is littered with rubble and damaged buildings. (Photo = AFP)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a “Joint Headquarters and Embassy Situation Review Meeting” chaired by Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang In-sun on the 4th to review the safety and protection measures for overseas Koreans. Currently, there are about 530 Koreans living in Israel. About 130 are in Lebanon and 110 are in Iran.

A Level 3 travel warning (departure recommended) has been issued for all of Israel and Lebanon. In addition, a Level 4 travel ban has been issued for the Gaza Strip. Iran has been placed on Level 2 (avoid travel) alert, except for some border areas.

Vice Minister Kang asked the headquarters and embassies and consulates to do their utmost to ensure the safety of Korean citizens in the event of an emergency and to closely monitor the local situation in the Middle East so that the government can respond quickly.