The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 8th it will raise the special travel advisory in effect for seven Middle Eastern countries—Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan—to Level 3 (advising departure).
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the entire territories of Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait are being adjusted to Level 3 areas. In Saudi Arabia, the following are designated Level 3 areas: the Ras Tanura area where Aramco's refinery facilities are located; within a 20-kilometer radius of the Shaybah oil field; and within a 20-kilometer radius of Prince Sultan Air Base. In Jordan, the eastern area east of the eastern boundary line of Zarqa city is a Level 3 area.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "We ask that Korean nationals planning to visit the affected areas cancel or postpone their trips," and added, "We also ask Korean nationals staying in the same areas to depart unless they have urgent business."
Earlier the same day, a government-arranged charter flight took off from Abu Dhabi, UAE, at about 5:35 p.m. Korea time. It is scheduled to arrive at Incheon Airport around 2 a.m. on the 9th.
A total of 206 people boarded the charter flight operated by Etihad Airways, including 203 Koreans and three foreign spouses. The foreign nationals are one each from the United Kingdom, France and Canada.