Seoul urges all parties involved in attack on Iran to make utmost efforts to ease tensions
People line up to fill up their cars at a gas station in Tehran, Feb. 28. AFP-Yonhap
The foreign ministry urged all involved parties, Saturday, to do their best to ease tensions after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.
The U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran the same day, including near the offices of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran," accusing Iran of pursuing a nuclear program and developing missiles capable of reaching the U.S.
Israeli officials said Iran also launched retaliatory strikes.
"The government calls on all parties involved to make utmost efforts to ease tensions in the region," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Seoul is closely monitoring the situation related to Iran while taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of South Koreans residing there, the ministry said.
Israelis take shelter in an underground parking lot in Tel Aviv, Israel, Feb. 28, after missiles were launched toward Israel from Iran following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran. Reuters-Yonhap
The ministry later said no injuries or casualties had been reported among South Korean nationals in Iran and Israel as of Saturday evening.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina presided over a meeting to review the situation, attended by representatives from embassies in the U.S., Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait and Turkmenistan.
Kim noted "rapidly escalating tension" in the Middle East and called for close coordination between the ministry and relevant embassies to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals in the region.
Touching upon the far-reaching impact of the situation, Kim urged embassies in countries near Iran and Israel to remain in close contact with one another to ensure "organic responses" to contingencies.
South Korean embassies in Iran and Israel both responded that they have sent security notices to South Korean residents in their respective countries and were taking measures to ensure their safety.
Additionally, the embassy in Israel said it will allow South Korean nationals to evacuate to Cairo by land, Sunday, if they wish to do so. The embassy will gather people in Jerusalem and Herzliya for the evacuation.