Seoul, June 13
South Korea on Friday issued special travel advisories for Israel and parts of Iran amid escalating military tension between the two Middle East adversaries.
The Foreign Ministry upgraded the existing Level 2 advisories in Israel and parts of Iran to Level 2.5 following Israel's strikes targeting Iran's nuclear programme and military sites.
The special advisory calls for South Korean citizens to cancel or postpone their trips to Israel and parts of Iran and flee to a safe country unless travel is absolutely necessary.
The Level 2.5 advisory is issued in cases of urgent security risks to travellers and can be maintained for up to 90 days.
Existing Level 3 advisories, which recommend departure, remain in effect for Israel's West Bank region and Iran's border areas with Turkey and Iraq, as well as parts of Iran's western coastal provinces.
Travel to Israel's northern border with Lebanon and the Gaza Strip remains prohibited, Yonhap news agency reported.
The Seoul government expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
"We express serious concern over the sharp rise in tensions in the Middle East following Israel's attacks on Iran and strongly condemn all actions that destabilise the region," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. "The South Korean government urges all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint to help de-escalate the situation."
The Foreign Ministry said there has been no damage to South Korean nationals related to Israel's attack on Iran. About 100 South Koreans are currently staying in Iran.
The Philippine Embassy in Israel also advised Filipinos to stay inside their homes, to be vigilant, and to seek shelter or a safe room in case a missile alert is issued by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The Embassy issued the advisory after Israel attacked Iran early Friday in air strikes that targeted the country's military installations.
"For your safety, stay alert, and keep track of urgent emergency alerts," the advisory read.
There are over 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, according to data from the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This shows how quickly global tensions can escalate. India should learn from this and strengthen our own security measures, especially given our complex neighborhood. Hope our MEA is monitoring the situation closely for any impact on Indians in these regions.
Very concerning situation 😟 My cousin was planning a pilgrimage to Israel next month. Now reconsidering after seeing this advisory. Safety comes first! Hope our government issues similar clear guidelines for Indian travelers.
While tensions are high, we must remember India has good relations with both Israel and Iran. Our foreign policy should maintain this delicate balance. The Middle East conflict affects global oil prices which directly impacts our economy.
The Philippines has 30,000 citizens in Israel while South Korea has only 100 in Iran - shows where migrant workers go. We have thousands of Indians in both countries too. MEA should prepare evacuation plans just in case ðŸ™
Israel-Iran tensions are bad news for India's energy security. Our oil imports may get costlier if this escalates further. Government should accelerate renewable energy projects to reduce dependence on unstable regions.
While the advisory is necessary, I hope South Korea and other nations also push for diplomatic solutions. Military actions only create more problems. India's voice for peace in international forums becomes even more important now.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.