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South Korean Tourists Evacuate Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions

South Korean tourists in the Middle East are being repatriated as regional tensions escalate, with travel agencies arranging alternative flights from Dubai, Cairo, and Amman. A ruling party policymaker warns that South Korea's substantial exports to the region, worth about 200 trillion won last year, could be severely impacted. The conflict threatens major future projects, including smart cities and nuclear plants, developed by Korean companies. The government is preparing a 100 trillion-won market stabilization program in response to the geopolitical crisis.

Key Points: S. Korean Tourists Return Home Amid Middle East Tensions

  • Tourists returning from Dubai & Cairo
  • Over 400 were in Dubai
  • Exports worth $136B at risk
  • 100T won stabilization plan prepared
2 min read

S. Korean tourists in Middle East returning home amid regional tensions

Hundreds of South Korean tourists are returning from the Middle East as tensions escalate, while officials warn of major economic impacts on exports.

"We cannot ignore the possibility that projects in the Middle East worth about 100 trillion won... could be delayed or even scrapped. - Rep. Han Jeoung-ae"

Seoul, March 5

South Korean tourists in the Middle East are gradually returning home in the wake of escalating tensions in the region, travel industry sources said on Thursday.

According to industry officials, more than 400 tourists from major travel agencies had been staying in Dubai as of Wednesday, including about 150 customers of Hana Tour, some 190 customers of Mode Tour and around 70 from Yellow Balloon Tour, reports Yonhap news agency.

Hana Tour said 40 customers left Dubai earlier in the day and are scheduled to arrive in South Korea later Thursday. Mode Tour has also arranged an alternative flight for 39 customers, who are expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport also later in the day.

Following the arrivals, around 330 South Korean tourists are still expected to remain in Dubai. Tourists in other Middle Eastern countries are apparently returning home without major issues, according to the companies.

A Hana Tour official said its group tourists currently in Cairo are returning home without disruption, while a Yellow Balloon Tour official said the company is arranging alternative flights for its customers in Cairo and Amman, Jordan, for later this week.

Meanwhile, the chief policymaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday warned that South Korea's exports to the Middle East could be tanked due to a widening US-Israeli strike on Iran, saying that measures are being prepared to cope with a longer-than-expected geopolitical crisis in the region.

Rep. Han Jeoung-ae, chair of the National Assembly's policy committee, made the remarks at a meeting with DP lawmakers from relevant parliamentary committees, noting that the escalating conflict could affect South Korean exports to major Middle Eastern countries, which reached about 200 trillion won (US$136.7 billion) last year.

"We cannot ignore the possibility that projects in the Middle East worth about 100 trillion won, which our companies have developed as future growth engines, including smart cities, nuclear power plants and artificial intelligence data centers, could be delayed or even scrapped," she said.

Han added that the government is preparing a 100 trillion-won market stabilisation programme amid mounting geopolitical concerns triggered by U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran last week.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The economic impact is huge - 200 trillion won in exports! This shows how interconnected the world is. A conflict far away can hit jobs and projects back home. Our own companies have big stakes in the Middle East too, especially in infrastructure. Hope diplomacy prevails.
A
Aman W
Smart cities and nuclear plants on the line... This is a serious wake-up call for any country with economic interests there. India must also review its projects and citizen safety in the region proactively, not reactively.
S
Sarah B
The travel agencies seem well-prepared with alternative flights. That's good crisis management. It reminds me of Operation Raahat during the Yemen crisis – coordination is key. Hope the remaining 330 tourists also get back soon without hassle.
V
Vikram M
While the focus is on tourists (rightly so), let's not forget the thousands of South Korean and other expat workers in the Gulf. Their safety and the security of long-term projects are an even bigger concern. The 100 trillion won stabilisation fund is a necessary step.
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: The article mentions the ruling party's warning, but what is the *opposition* saying? A balanced view would help. Geopolitical crises need national consensus, not just ruling party statements. Hope South Korea navigates this well.
N
Nisha Z

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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