Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered government agencies on Tuesday to prepare evacuation operations for Korean nationals stranded in the Middle East amid Iran's retaliatory strikes against the United States and Israel.
"Ensure thorough one-on-one safety checks and repatriation guidance, and prepare transport operations without gaps for any contingency," Kim said while chairing an emergency ministerial meeting on the Middle East situation at the Government Complex Seoul.
"There are significant concerns about the safety of our citizens stranded locally due to flight cancellations," the prime minister added.
Kim also urged officials to pay close attention to safety measures for Korean shipping vessels amid concerns over a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
On economic matters, Kim noted that "the feared impacts, including financial market volatility and rising oil prices, are materializing." He instructed relevant ministries to "assume all possible scenarios and prepare preemptive countermeasures for each situation."
Regarding concerns over expanded volatility in foreign exchange and financial markets, the prime minister called for "market stabilization measures including enhanced monitoring of oil prices, exchange rates, and stock markets, as well as financial policy tools to address multilayered changes affecting our economy."
Kim also ordered officials to "check whether there are immediate preparations needed in case the situation extends into the medium term," emphasizing the need to "focus on protecting citizens' lives and safety while minimizing economic impact."
The prime minister specifically instructed the Ministry of Economy and Finance to "listen to difficulties faced by businesses due to the Middle East situation and review support measures," adding that companies should be informed in advance about available support channels.