Foreign ministry reviews ways to protect Koreans in Middle East over Israel's strike on Iran

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a, left, holds a meeting with foreign ministry officials and chiefs of the country's diplomatic missions in the Middle East over Israel's strike on Iran in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The foreign ministry said Friday it reviewed ways to protect Korean nationals in the Middle East and will take necessary steps to secure their safety amid growing tensions following a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran.

The message came at a meeting, presided over by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina, about the security situation in the Middle East, also attended via online links by some chiefs of the country's overseas missions in the Middle East, including Seoul's top envoys to Israel, Iran and Iraq, according to the ministry.

Kim said the ministry will closely monitor the possibility of a sudden change in the security situation in the Middle East.

"The ministry will do its best to maintain constant communication channels between the headquarters and overseas diplomatic missions so as to secure the safety of Korean nationals overseas," Kim said.

The foreign ministry said there has been no injury to Korean nationals related to Israel's attack on Iran. About 100 Koreans are currently in Iran.