Seoul: The foreign ministry on Tuesday held a meeting to examine contingency plans for South Korean nationals in Iran, including those for possible evacuation, amid the growing unrest fueled by protests over economic hardships.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina called for thoroughly preparing plans in case the South Korean citizens in Iran need to evacuate, relocate, or leave the country should the situation worsen, the ministry said in a release. Kim also instructed the South Korean Embassy in Iran, which joined the meeting virtually, to focus on ensuring the safety of the Koreans staying in Iran.
The ministry stated that approximately 70 Korean nationals are currently in the country, excluding diplomats and their family members. Seoul's top envoy to Iran, Kim Jun-pyo, mentioned that the embassy has been checking their safety every day through online channels and prioritized staying in contact with them since the protests erupted.
The protests began with merchants demonstrating against the worsening economy but have since spread to other regions, with some turning into violent clashes believed to have killed hundreds of people.