Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held a telephone conversation with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, and discussed the current situation in the Middle East.

Minister Sheikh Abdullah stated that recent attacks by Iran had inflicted damage to various civilian facilities such as airports, within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states including the UAE, and requested the Republic of Korea’s attention and support.

Minister Cho deplored the civilian casualties and the damage to civilian facilities of the UAE and the other GCC countries, expressing sympathy and solidarity. He also conveyed his deep concern over the rapidly escalating and increasingly damaging situation in the Middle East, and hoped for no further casualties and a swift resolution of the situation.

Furthermore, Minister Cho stated that the Korean government is mobilizing all its capabilities with its highest priority placed on the safety and protection of its nationals. He went on to explain that over 3,000 short-term Korean visitors to the UAE are currently stranded in the country hoping for a prompt return home to Korea. On that note, Minister Cho requested that the UAE government pay special attention to and support the swift and safe repatriation of Korean nationals including by resuming commercial flights and approving the arrival and departure of Korea’s chartered aircraft.

The two Ministers concurred to continue cooperation between the two countries for the development of their Special Strategic Partnership  and for the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East going forward.