South Korean police have significantly strengthened domestic and international response measures as military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies. Security levels have been notably elevated around Seoul's Yongsan district, where the Iranian embassy is located.
According to police on the 3rd, the Seoul Yongsan Police Station, which oversees the area near the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has recently reinforced security and patrol personnel around the diplomatic mission. As of the 3rd, two officers are permanently stationed in front of the Iranian embassy. One riot police unit has been forward-deployed approximately 300 meters from the embassy to prepare for contingencies. A nearby police substation has also included the Iranian embassy vicinity in its patrol route at two-hour intervals to monitor for potential rallies or protests.
Police are responding with urgency on multiple fronts. The Korean National Police Agency announced it is preparing to dispatch a "Rapid Response Team for Overseas Korean Nationals Protection" to the Middle East. The agency maintains a standing rapid response team of 156 personnel across seven specialized fields for overseas emergencies. Some team members are on standby for immediate deployment upon official request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other relevant government agencies.
Internal briefings are being held to review response systems by function. Police are reinforcing security at Middle Eastern embassies and key diplomatic facilities in South Korea while updating response protocols for spontaneous protests and terror threats. A police official said, "We are closely monitoring domestic and international developments and coordinating necessary measures with relevant government agencies."
Government-wide emergency reviews continue daily. While President Lee Jae-myung is on state visits to Singapore and the Philippines, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is chairing daily emergency briefings to monitor developments in the Middle East. At an emergency cabinet meeting on the 1st, Prime Minister Kim said, "The lives and safety of our citizens are of paramount importance," adding, "We must be ready to immediately dispatch rapid response teams and prepare transportation plans in advance if the situation deteriorates."