By Jun Ji-hye
The foreign ministry advised South Korean residents living in Mali to voluntarily leave the country amid growing concerns about a civil war between the government and rebel forces, an official said Monday.
“In consideration of the possible civil war, the government issued the new warning Friday that urges all Korean nationals in Mali to temporarily leave the country,” the foreign ministry official said.
The official added that there are so far no reports of injury to Korean nationals there.
There are currently thirty five Korean nationals in the West African country, mostly living in the capital Bamako located in the southern part of the country. The conflict between the government and rebels has been brewing in the northern part of the country.
The ministry is maintaining a network of emergency contacts with the Korean Embassy in Senegal, which is also in charge of diplomatic missions in Mali. The mission offers around the clock security updates to Korean nationals through SMS.
The ministry is also considering strengthening the travel alert level on Mali from the current level three that “restricts” traveling to level four that “bans” South Koreans from traveling to all parts of the country.