Following reports of U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back ordered an immediate safety inspection of dispatched troops, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed no safety issues for those units. JCS Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung instructed commanders via video call to prioritize the safety of troops and Korean nationals abroad. The measures come amid ongoing conflict over Iran's nuclear program.
On February 28, 2026, in Seoul, the Defense Ministry announced that following U.S.-Israel preemptive strikes on Iran, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back had ordered an immediate safety inspection of dispatched troops. The minister instructed that the safety of units in places like Lebanon and Somalia be prioritized during their missions.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed on the same day that there were no safety issues for the dispatched troops. JCS Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung received a briefing on the situation via video call with the commanders of the dispatched units and directed them to make the safety of troops and Korean nationals abroad the top priority.
The United States and Israel launched their military operation against Iran on Saturday morning local time, with U.S. President Donald Trump describing it in a video posted on Truth Social as "massive and ongoing." Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran. Iran reportedly retaliated by firing missiles at Israeli and U.S. bases in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The incident arises from ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program. The actions by the Defense Ministry and JCS are seen as a swift response to ensure the safety of dispatched personnel.
