The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 5th that Minister Cho Hyun asked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help Koreans return home.
The Minister held a phone call that night with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and asked for the UAE government's special attention and support, including the takeoff and landing of chartered flights, for the prompt and safe return of Korean nationals.
As the situation in the Middle East has recently worsened and the airspace of some areas, including the UAE, has been closed, the number of travelers stranded on the ground has increased. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are currently about 3,000 Koreans on short-term stays in the UAE.
Minister Abdullah said that recent attacks by Iran had caused major damage to various civilian facilities, including airports, in member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including the UAE, and requested Korea's attention and support.
In response, the Minister expressed deep concern over civilian casualties and damage to civilian facilities in GCC countries, including the UAE, and conveyed condolences and solidarity.
The Minister also voiced deep concern about the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East, where the damage is spreading, and said the hope is that no further casualties occur. The Minister went on to say that the hope is for a swift resolution to the current crisis.