"I Can't Leave Alone" – Korean Nationals' Mass Escape from Iran Nearly Splits Families as Neighboring Country Refuses Entry to Iranian Relatives

[Financial News] Korean expatriates with Iranian family members made a mass overland escape, but they reportedly faced a crisis when a neighboring country refused entry to Iranian nationals, allowing only the Koreans to enter. In response, the Korean government immediately activated diplomatic channels and secured entry for all Iranian family members.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 4th, 28 people evacuated from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan the previous day with support from the Korean Embassy. Among them, four were Iranian family members. However, Turkmenistan denied entry to three of the Iranian family members, allowing only one Iranian spouse of a Korean national to enter. As a result, all five members of that family, including the one Korean national, chose to forgo entry.
The Korean government then urgently requested a review through diplomatic channels, pressing Turkmenistan to reconsider. Within about an hour, Turkmenistan agreed to admit the remaining three Iranian family members, and all five members of the family were able to enter together. Consequently, all 28 people who had departed from Tehran arrived safely in Turkmenistan.
Separately, all 66 people who evacuated overland from Israel to Egypt the previous day were confirmed to be Korean nationals. Earlier reports that some were U.S. citizens turned out to be incorrect.
Some of the Korean nationals and overseas Koreans who escaped by land are now beginning procedures to return to Korea. However, due to airspace closures affecting certain regional routes, some returns are expected to be delayed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is guiding those who wish to return to Korea on available flights, in line with each evacuee's own decision. It is also helping them find accommodation until they can secure seats on flights. Local Korean communities are reportedly volunteering to provide lodging as well. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official noted, "Among those not returning directly to Korea, some are heading to third countries."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and other relevant agencies held a meeting of the Overseas Nationals Protection Task Force on this day and began providing additional support.
Local missions, including the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the United Arab Emirates, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Sultanate of Oman, also joined the meeting chaired by Kim Jin-ah, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. Kim Jin-ah urged, "Please continue to verify the safety of our nationals staying in the region, including short-term travelers stranded on the ground, and thoroughly prepare and review plans to support their safe return home."

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter