Korean companies are scrambling to respond as Middle East tensions escalate following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that killed the country's supreme leader.
Companies operating in the region have convened emergency meetings to secure the safety of employees stationed in the Middle East while addressing potential business disruptions.
According to industry sources on the 1st, Korean firms in electronics, construction, and defense sectors have operations in Iran—the epicenter of the current crisis—as well as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
Samsung Electronics confirmed that no employees stationed in the Middle East, including Iran, have been affected. The company said it would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its staff, including those in Iran.
LG Electronics has also verified the safety of employees working in the Middle East and implemented protective measures. One Korean employee stationed in Iran departed the country last week, while Korean staff and their families at the Israel branch plan to evacuate according to company guidelines.
Hanwha Group has instructed employees stationed in the Middle East to prioritize safety above all else. The conglomerate currently operates defense, finance, and machinery businesses in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. In Iraq, Hanwha is participating in the Bismayah New City construction project with approximately 123 employees on site.
"Above all, the safety of our Middle East employees must be the top priority, and the company must take all necessary measures to ensure thorough protection," said Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon. Group affiliates have established real-time communication systems with local operations to monitor the movements and safety of employees and their families.
Hyundai Motor Group does not have operations in Iran or Iraq but is closely monitoring the situation due to its joint venture plant in neighboring Saudi Arabia. "We are carefully observing the situation and continuing to monitor developments," the company said.
The crisis has also prompted transportation companies to suspend operations. Korean Air conducted an emergency turnaround of flight KE951 and canceled flight KE952 on the Incheon-Dubai route on the 28th of last month, when the U.S. attack on Iran occurred. The airline has canceled KE951 departing from Incheon and KE952 departing from Dubai from the 28th through the 5th.
With Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Korean shipping companies including HMM and Pan Ocean are also preparing countermeasures. HMM plans to determine its response based on how the Iran situation develops. Pan Ocean, which operates the largest bulk carrier fleet in Korea, is also monitoring for potential disruptions. These companies are preparing to immediately implement alternative measures such as turnarounds, anchoring, or detours should the Iran crisis lead to a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Presidential Office stated it is "closely monitoring related developments and taking multilateral measures to ensure the safety of Korean nationals abroad," adding that it "hopes stability and peace in the Middle East will be restored as soon as possible."