Korea imposes travel ban on Iran amid rising Middle East conflict
People run for safety as smoke rises after an airstrike in central Tehran, Iran, March 5. EPA-Yonhap
South Korea has issued a travel ban on all parts of Iran amid worsening security conditions in the Middle East following strikes by the United States and Israel on the country, the foreign ministry said Thursday.
Effective at 6 p.m., the government raised Iran's travel alert from the previous Level 3, which advises South Korean nationals to leave the country, to Level 4, the highest in South Korea's four-tier travel warning system, which prohibits travel to the designated country.
The ministry warned that South Korean nationals who visit or remain in Iran without prior authorization may face punishment under relevant laws. It advised those planning to travel to the country to cancel their trips and urged those currently there to evacuate.
About 40 South Korean nationals currently remain in Iran. Those wishing to continue staying in the country must obtain special authorization for exceptional passport use, the ministry said.
However, the government said it plans to temporarily suspend penalties for violations of the requirement while applications are being processed, as the approval process typically takes more than one month.
Detailed guidance will be provided through the South Korean Embassy in Iran and the foreign ministry's overseas travel safety website, it added.
The ministry said it issued the ban as "the worsening situation in the Middle East has raised serious concerns over the safety of Korean nationals visiting or staying in Iran."
"The government will continue to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of Korean nationals," it said.
The latest measures come as South Korea is continuing to evacuate its citizens from the Middle East after about 140 nationals were brought to safety in earlier operations, as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran escalate into a wider regional conflict.
The government is actively considering sending a chartered plane to the region, including the United Arab Emirates, where more than 2,000 South Korean short-term travelers remain stranded due to flight disruptions.