Seoul Reports 17,000 Koreans in Middle East Safe Amid Iran Strikes

The South Korean government said Sunday that approximately 17,000 Korean nationals residing long-term in more than 10 Middle Eastern countries targeted by Iran's retaliatory strikes remain unharmed.

"We have confirmed no casualties among our citizens so far," Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a said at a joint briefing following an interministerial meeting on the Middle East situation at the Government Complex Seoul.

Kim noted the actual number of Koreans in the region is likely higher when including short-term tourists and transit passengers. "For those who contact our embassies, we are providing real-time information including flight updates," she said.

The Foreign Ministry has established an emergency response headquarters for overseas citizen protection and temporarily designated five countries hosting U.S. military bases—Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait—as "special travel advisory" zones.

First Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Lee Hyung-il addressed concerns over a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "We have confirmed no Korean vessels are currently passing through the strait," Lee said. The government has sent official notices to shipping companies and industry associations advising them to avoid operations in Middle Eastern waters.

Officials emphasized the country holds 208 days' worth of crude oil reserves, ensuring preparedness for a prolonged closure of the strategic waterway.

Regarding liquefied natural gas supplies, a government official said Qatar's share of Korea's LNG imports has fallen to around 20 percent, while seasonal demand has declined since March. "LNG supply is not a major concern even if the situation becomes protracted," the official said.