Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Lee Jaewoong

June 24, 2025  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

With tensions having yet to be settled in the Middle East, the government has, to date, helped a total of 56 Korean nationals and their family members in Iran evacuate to Turkmenistan as well as 26 Koreans and their family members in Israel to Jordan.

In addition, the government, in close cooperation with its Embassies and Korean community groups in Israel and Egypt, has helped a total of 68 Korean nationals and ethnic Koreans in Israel evacuate in two groups, including one yesterday.

For this evacuation effort, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched its Rapid Response Teams to Turkmenistan and Jordan and offered the evacuees necessary consular assistance, including for chartered bussing, immigration procedures, and information about accommodations and flights.

The Foreign Ministry will continue to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and will seek and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of Korean nationals.

The Korean government extends appreciation to a number of countries for their thoughtfulness and support in the face of such critical circumstances.

The Korean government offers heart-felt appreciation to the Turkmenistan government for its support for the safe evacuation of Korean nationals in Iran to third countries via Turkmenistan, as well as the Jordanian and Egyptian governments for their support for the safe and swift departure of Koreans from Israel.

The Korean government thanks these countries for their warm solidarity and will continue to uphold this spirit of friendship and cooperation.

Lastly, as you may already know, former Ambassador to the United Nations Cho Hyun was named new Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday, June 23.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make smooth preparations for his confirmation hearings at the National Assembly.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)