Government Maintains ‘Advisory to Leave’ for Iran Amid Anti-Government Protests, Evacuation Order Still Undecided

[Financial News] The government has not yet reached a decision, as of the 15th, on whether to evacuate Korean nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran, where anti-government protests have intensified. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently maintaining a Level 3 travel advisory (advisory to leave) for Iran. The government issued the Level 3 advisory for the entire territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran in June last year, when armed clashes between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran escalated, and has kept it in place since then.
On the 15th, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters, “We are holding related meetings every day regarding the safety of Korean nationals in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” adding, “We are reviewing what measures to take to ensure their safety, and the government’s position will be announced soon.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been holding joint situation review meetings between headquarters and overseas missions, chaired by Kim Jina, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 90 Korean nationals, including diplomatic staff, are currently residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Of these, around 70 live in the capital, Tehran. There have been no reports of harm to Korean nationals so far, but it is said that internet and communications shutdowns are making it difficult to grasp the local situation.
Major Western countries have also begun reviewing the evacuation or withdrawal of their citizens in response to the protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran. With United States of America (U.S.) President Donald Trump hinting at sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran (a 25% tariff) and possible military intervention, Western countries are reportedly preparing for withdrawals. The number of deaths in the protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran is reported to range from at least several thousand to more than ten thousand.

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter