SEOUL – On Aug 6, South Korea’s foreign ministry strongly advised its nationals in Lebanon and Israel to leave immediately due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. This travel advisory was issued following the recent assassinations of a Hezbollah commander and the head of the political wing of Hamas, Mr. Lee Jae-woong, a ministry spokesman, confirmed. These killings followed a deadly rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights late last month.
“South Korea’s government hopes that diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, such as negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release, will continue,” Mr. Lee stated during a briefing. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran last week, sparking threats of revenge on Israel and raising concerns that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a broader Middle East war.
The US has been urging other countries through diplomatic channels to convey to Iran that further escalation in the Middle East is not in their interest, a State Department spokesman said on Aug 5. As of Aug 6, there are more than 500 South Korean nationals residing in Israel and around 120 in Lebanon, according to the ministry.