'Red alert' for Syria-Turkey border travel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued a “red alert” travel warning for the border area between Syria and Turkey, because of U.S. and its allies air strikes against IS Muslim militants in the region.

Korean citizens, who are within 10 kilometers of the Turkish-Syrian border, are recommended to leave the area immediately.

The red alert advises travelers to leave unless they have urgent and essential businesses. It was imposed on southeast Turkey ― including Diyarbakir, Van, Hakkari and Sirnak ― in July.

MOFA has already issued its highest “black alert” warning for Syria, restricting Korean citizens from entering and requesting the immediate withdrawal of those still there.

Meanwhile, a man shot dead in Malabon, on Manila’s outskirts in the Philippines in July, was a Korean, The Korean Embassy said Friday.

The man, surnamed, Lee, 45, was reportedly shot in the neck and abandoned in a plastic bag. Ten Koreans, some allegedly involved in crime, have been killed in the Philippines this year.