President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials on February 28 to assess the impact of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and enhance safety measures for South Korean nationals in the Middle East. The Office of National Security held an emergency meeting with foreign and security officials to discuss effects on national security and the economy. The government urged all parties to ease regional tensions.
On February 28 in Seoul, President Lee Jae Myung, after being briefed on the situation in Iran, ordered a review of potential repercussions for South Korea from the United States and Israel's attacks, along with related countermeasures, prioritizing the safety of Korean nationals in Iran and nearby regions, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a press notice.
The Office of National Security convened an emergency working-level committee meeting at 7 p.m. with foreign and security officials to discuss the latest developments in Iran and the Middle East, as well as the security situation of Korean nationals in the region. The meeting assessed the impact on national security and the economy, while reviewing response measures by relevant ministries and their future plans. Participants agreed to closely monitor developments and prepare for possible contingencies, considering the possibility of a prolonged situation, and reported the results to Lee.
The office stated it is closely monitoring the Iran-related situation and urging "all parties involved to make the utmost efforts to ease regional tensions." The foreign ministry echoed this, calling on all parties to ease tensions and pledging to protect Korean nationals in the Middle East.
On Monday, the South Korean Embassy in Iran advised nationals to leave the country when flights are available amid escalating tensions over a possible U.S. military attack on Tehran. South Korea maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for all of Iran, strongly advising citizens there to depart.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back ordered the defense ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to immediately inspect the safety of South Korean troops dispatched overseas and to prioritize the safety of those in Lebanon and Somalia during their missions. The JCS reported no safety issues for overseas troops.
Earlier that Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media video that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran," claiming Iran has continued developing its nuclear program and plans missiles to reach the U.S. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the joint attack was to "remove an existential threat posed" by Iran. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes toward Israel, according to foreign media reports.
