Korea Sends Former Egypt Envoy as Special Envoy to Address Iran Crisis

The South Korean government is dispatching former Ambassador to Egypt Kim Yong-hyun as a special envoy to respond to the U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran. The United Arab Emirates, home to the largest Korean expatriate community in the Middle East, is expected to be his destination.

According to political sources on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported this plan to the National Assembly during a government-ruling party meeting on the Iran crisis. A Democratic Party lawmaker on the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee said, "The UAE is most likely the destination since it has the largest number of our compatriots and stranded travelers."

Former Ambassador Kim is regarded as a seasoned diplomat. He served as Senior Secretary for Foreign Policy at the National Security Office during the Moon Jae-in administration and was the 25th Ambassador to Egypt from 2023 until December last year. He recently represented the Korean government at the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" led by the Trump administration, demonstrating active engagement in multilateral diplomatic efforts for Middle East peace.

Kim is expected to focus on ensuring the safety of Korean nationals in the region. Securing exit routes for citizens stranded by airspace closures will be the top priority. He will also work to strengthen real-time information sharing with key Middle Eastern countries and ensure safe passage for oil tankers.

Approximately 20,000 Korean nationals currently reside across 13 Middle Eastern countries. According to local diplomatic missions, about 4,000 are short-term visitors including tourists, while 17,000 are long-term residents. Anxiety is growing as airspace closures across most Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, have left many stranded.

The government and ruling party have pledged to prioritize the safety of citizens residing in the Middle East. Rep. Kim Young-bae, chief secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said, "We have decided to focus on protection measures for expatriates and assessing the number and status of travelers. Safety measures are being implemented, including reviewing options for residents in Iran and Israel to relocate to neighboring countries."

Officials indicated that crude oil supply is not yet critical. While 70% of Korea's oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz near the Middle East, the country has secured approximately 200 days' worth of reserves. Democratic Party Policy Committee Chair Han Jeoung-ae said, "I understand the relevant authorities are securing alternative routes for oil supply."