South Korea Issues Level 3 Alert for 7 Mideast Nations

In a significant move reflecting growing security concerns, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially raised its travel advisory to Level 3 (Red Alert) for seven Middle Eastern countries. The decision, announced on Monday, urges South Korean nationals currently in these nations to evacuate unless their presence is absolutely essential and advises those planning trips to cancel or postpone them.

The updated advisory applies to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. According to the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), this level is part of a four-tier warning system where Level 3 indicates a high-security risk requiring immediate departure.

Specific Regional Warnings

The Ministry highlighted specific high-risk zones within these countries:

Saudi Arabia: The warning is particularly focused on Ras Tanura and areas within a 20-kilometer radius of the Shaybah oil field and the Prince Sultan Air Base.

Jordan: The Level 3 alert covers all regions east of the border city of Zarqa.

Diplomatic Directives and Safety Measures

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed its diplomatic missions in the region to maintain close contact with Korean expatriates and coordinate potential evacuation logistics. The escalation in the travel warning level follows recent regional military activities, including reported missile and drone strikes that have impacted infrastructure in the Gulf.

South Korean officials emphasized that the safety of their citizens remains the top priority. The government is monitoring the geopolitical situation—including the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel—very closely to determine if further adjustments to the travel status are necessary.