The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a situation review meeting on the afternoon of the 3rd regarding the United States' sudden airstrikes on Venezuela and discussed safety measures for Koreans staying there.
The meeting was chaired by Vice Minister Kim Jin-a and attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, including the government representative in charge of protection of overseas Koreans and consular affairs, the Spokesperson, the director-general of the Consular Affairs Bureau, the director-general for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the director-general for North America, as well as diplomats from overseas missions, including the chargé d'affaires at the Embassy in Venezuela and a counselor at the Embassy in the United States.
Vice Minister Kim asked participants to do their utmost to continuously ensure the safety of the public, as the local situation could worsen further.
In particular, as President Lee Jae-myung instructed, depending on how the situation unfolds, it may be necessary to evacuate and withdraw Korean residents, so related plans should be prepared meticulously and executed swiftly if needed, Kim emphasized.
Earlier, after receiving a report on the situation in Venezuela, President Lee ordered thorough protection of Korean nationals and the establishment of a meticulous withdrawal plan in case the situation deteriorates.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will continue to closely monitor the situation in Venezuela and take necessary measures to ensure public safety.
As of 6 p.m. that day, about 70 Koreans were staying in Venezuela, including roughly 50 in the capital, Caracas, and no Korean casualties had been reported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier.
The U.S. Trump administration carried out airstrikes on Venezuela that day and ousted the anti-U.S., left-leaning regime of Nicolás Maduro. According to foreign media, explosions occurred across the capital, Caracas, and aircraft noise and black smoke were observed.