Korean Parliament to Hold Emergency Hearing on U.S.-Iran Crisis

South Korea's National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee will convene an emergency hearing on May 6 regarding the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

According to political sources on May 3, floor leaders from the ruling People Power Party and opposition Democratic Party of Korea agreed to hold a plenary session at 9 a.m. on May 6. Rep. Kim Young-bae, the ruling party's floor leader on the committee, said in a phone interview that the hearing aims "to assess the U.S.-Iran situation and its potential impact on South Korea."

The session is expected to address not only the safety of Korean nationals amid the U.S.-Israeli strikes and potential Iranian retaliation, but also U.S.-Korea tariff issues. The date was reportedly set to accommodate Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's schedule.

On April 28 local time, the United States and Israel launched a major military operation against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The death of Iran's top leader—who had maintained hostile relations with the U.S. and Israel—has raised concerns about deteriorating global security.