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South Korea Readies Evacuation for Nationals in Venezuela After US Strike

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered officials to ensure the protection of Korean nationals in Venezuela and prepare evacuation plans following a US military strike. The foreign ministry has convened an emergency meeting and established a task force, with approximately 70 South Koreans currently in the country. The order comes after US President Donald Trump announced a large-scale strike resulting in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. No casualties involving South Korean citizens have been reported so far.

Key Points: S. Korea Plans Venezuela Evacuation After US Military Strike

  • Evacuation plans prepared
  • 70 S. Korean nationals in Venezuela
  • US strike captures Maduro
  • Emergency task force convened
2 min read

South Korea orders protection of its nationals in Venezuela, President says evacuation plans prepared

South Korea orders protection and prepares evacuation plans for its 70 nationals in Venezuela following a US military strike and the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

"President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to ensure the thorough protection of South Korean nationals in Venezuela... - Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson"

Seoul, Jan 3

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials on Saturday to ensure the protection of Korean nationals in Venezuela and to prepare evacuation plans if necessary, his office said.

Lee's instruction came on the heels of a US military strike against the South American country, confirmed by US President Donald Trump, amid his administration's pressure campaign on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

"President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to ensure the thorough protection of South Korean nationals in Venezuela and to meticulously prepare evacuation plans so they can be swiftly carried out in case the situation further worsens," a Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson said in a message to the media.

The foreign ministry in Seoul plans to convene an emergency meeting late Saturday to assess the situation and discuss response measures, the spokesperson said.

Around 70 South Korean nationals are staying in Venezuela, including about 50 in the capital of Caracas, where US strikes were reported. No casualties involving South Koreans have been reported so far, reports Yonhap news agency.

The ministry set up a task force for protecting overseas nationals following the attacks and is working with its diplomatic mission in Venezuela to ensure their safety.

Trump announced the United States has carried out a large-scale military strike against Venezuela and captured Maduro, who has been charged with narco-terrorism in the US.

Taking to his social media platform 'Truth Social', Trump said, "The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country."

He mentioned that this operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement, and further details will follow during a news conference at 11 a.m. (local time) at Mar-a-Lago.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Reading this makes me appreciate the MEA's efforts during crises like Operation Ganga or the Ukraine evacuation. It's a complex task. South Korea is right to be proactive. The US action is a major escalation, though.
R
Rohit P
Only 70 nationals? That's a manageable number for evacuation, thank god. The real challenge is when you have thousands stranded, like we've seen. Still, any military action in a sovereign country sets a dangerous precedent. The world is becoming more unstable.
P
Priya S
Capturing a sitting president of another country? This is extreme, even by recent standards. While Maduro's regime had issues, this feels like a return to gunboat diplomacy. Hope there are no Indian citizens caught in the crossfire there.
M
Michael C
A respectful criticism: The article jumps from South Korea's evacuation plans to the US strike details very abruptly. It would be helpful to have more analysis on *why* South Korea has citizens there—business, diplomacy? Context matters.
K
Kavya N
Swift action is key. Setting up a task force immediately is the right call. In today's interconnected world, you never know where conflict will erupt next. Our own government should also review evacuation protocols for Indians in volatile regions. Better safe than sorry!

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