The view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs./Courtesy of News1

As tensions in the Middle East rapidly worsened due to a U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated an emergency response to ensure the safety of citizens and diplomatic missions.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a 'Headquarters-Embassy Joint Situation Review Meeting' to assess safety measures in response to changes in the situation in Iran. The meeting was chaired by Vice Minister Kim Jin-ah and attended by government representatives responsible for the protection of overseas citizens and consular affairs, as well as officials from the Consular Safety Bureau, Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau, and the Embassy in Iran.

During the meeting, Vice Minister Kim remarked, "Given that the situation in Iran may worsen following the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, please ensure the safety of our citizens currently staying in the region." He also instructed that measures for the safety of our local diplomatic staff be implemented thoroughly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported the evacuation of 56 citizens and their families (including five Iranian nationals) who had been staying in Iran to Turkmenistan. The Ministry plans to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely and take necessary actions for the safety of citizens.